Benzimidazolyl-pyridine compounds for inflammation and immune-related uses

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to compounds of formula (XVI): 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
         
         
           
             or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y 2 , Z, L 1 , R 9 , R 10 , m and u are defined herein. These compounds are useful as immunosuppressive agents and for treating and preventing inflammatory conditions, immune disorders, and allergic disorders.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/785,402, filed on Mar. 23, 2006, the entire teachings of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to biologically active chemical compounds that may be used for immunosuppression or to treat or prevent inflammatory conditions and immune disorders.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Inflammation is a mechanism that protects mammals from invading pathogens. However, while transient inflammation is necessary to protect a mammal from infection, uncontrolled inflammation causes tissue damage and is the underlying cause of many illnesses. Inflammation is typically initiated by binding of an antigen to T-cell antigen receptor. Antigen binding by a T-cell initiates calcium influx into the cell via calcium ion channels, such as Ca²⁺-release-activated Ca²⁺ channels (CRAC). Calcium ion influx in turn initiates a signaling cascade that leads to activation of these cells and an inflammatory response characterized by cytokine production.

TRPM4 is a Ca²⁺-actived non-selective (CAN) cation channel that mediates depolarization of cellular membranes. Activation of TRPM4 depolarizes the cellular membrane which decreases the driving force for calcium ion influx into the cell. Conversely, it has been shown that, inhibition of TRPM4 channels in T-lymphocytes increases calcium ion influx into the cell and induces large increases in cytokine production and, in particular, increase the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2).

IL-2 is a cytokine that is secreted by T cells in response to calcium ion influx into the cell. IL-2 modulates immunological effects on many cells of the immune system. For example, it is a potent T cell mitogen that is required for the T cell proliferation, promoting their progression from G1 to S phase of the cell cycle; it stimulates the growth of NK cells; and it acts as a growth factor to B cells and stimulates antibody synthesis.

IL-2, although useful in the immune response, can cause a variety of problems. IL-2 damages the blood-brain barrier and the endothelium of brain vessels. These effects may be the underlying causes of neuropsychiatric side effects observed under IL-2 therapy, e.g. fatigue, disorientation and depression. It also alters the electrophysiological behaviour of neurons.

Due to its effects on both T and B cells, IL-2 is a major central regulator of immune responses. It plays a role in inflammatory reactions, tumour surveillance, and hematopoiesis. It also affects the production of other cytokines, inducing IL-1, TNF-α and TNF-β secretion, as well as stimulating the synthesis of IFN-γ in peripheral leukocytes.

T cells that are unable to produce IL-2 become inactive (anergic). This renders them potentially inert to any antigenic stimulation they might receive in the future. As a result, agents which inhibit IL-2 production can be used for immunosupression or to treat or prevent inflammation and immune disorders. This approach has been clinically validated with immunosuppressive drugs such as cyclosporin, FK506, and RS61443. Despite this proof of concept, agents that inhibit IL-2 production remain far from ideal. Among other problems, efficacy limitations and unwanted side effects (including dose-dependant nephrotoxicity and hypertension) hinder their use.

Over production of proinflammatory cytokines other than IL-2 has also been implicated in many autoimmune diseases. For example, Interleukin 5 (IL-5), a cytokine that increases the production of eosinophils, is increased in patients with asthma. Overproduction of IL-5 is associated with accumulation of eosinophils in the asthmatic bronchial mucosa, a hall mark of allergic inflammation. Thus, patients with asthma and other inflammatory disorders involving the accumulation of eosinophils would benefit from the development of new drugs that inhibit the production of IL-5.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4) and interleukin 13 (IL-13) have been identified as mediators of the hypercontractility of smooth muscle found in inflammatory bowel disease and asthma. Thus, patients with athsma and inflammatory bowel disease would benefit from the development of new drugs that inhibit IL-4 and IL-13 production.

Granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is a regulator of maturation of granulocyte and macrophage lineage population and has been implicated as a key factor in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Anti-GM-CSF antibody blockade has been shown to ameliorate autoimmune disease. Thus, development of new drugs that inhibit the production of GM-CSF would be beneficial to patients with an inflammatory or autoimmune disease.

There is therefore a continuing need for new drugs which overcome one or more of the shortcomings of drugs currently used for immunosuppression or in the treatment or prevention of inflammatory disorders and autoimmune disorders. Desirable properties of new drugs include efficacy against diseases or disorders that are currently untreatable or poorly treatable, a new mechanism of action, oral bioavailability and/or reduced side effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention meets the above-mentioned needs by providing compounds that inhibit the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF-α, and IFNγ. These compounds are particularly useful for immunosuppression and/or to treat or prevent inflammatory conditions and immune disorders.

In one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (I):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, wherein:

-   -   X is an optionally substituted benzoimidazolyl, an optionally         substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizinyl, an optionally         substituted imidazo[4,5-a]pyridyl, an optionally substituted         imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, an optionally substituted         imidazo[4,5-b]pyridyl, or an optionally substituted         imidazo[4,5-c]pyridyl;     -   Y is an unsubstituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl,         an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally         substituted heteroaryl, or an optionally substituted         heteroaralkyl;     -   A is —O—, —S(O)_(p)—, —NH—, —NZ—, —CH═CH—, —CZ═CH—, —CH═CZ—,         —CZ═CZ—, —N═CH—, —N═CZ—, —CH═N—, —CZ═N—, or an N-oxide of         —N═CH—, —N═CZ—, —CH═N—, or —CZ═N—;     -   Z, for each occurrence, is independently selected from the group         consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally         substituted alkenyl, an optionally substituted alkynyl, an         optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an         optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted         heteroaryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, an optionally         substituted heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)R₅,         halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OR₄,         —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC (O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄,         or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂;     -   L is a linker selected from the group consisting of an         optionally substituted lower alkyl, and optionally substituted         lower alkenyl, —NRCR₄R₅—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —NR—C(O)—,         —C(O)—NR—, —NR—C(O)—NR—, —C(S)—, —NR—S(O)_(h)—, —S(O)_(h)—NR—,         —NR—C(═NR)—, —NR—C(═NR)—NR—, —NR—C(═N—CN)—NR—,         —NR—C(═N—NO₂)—NR—, —NR—C(S)—, —C(S)—NR—, or —NR—C(S)—NR—;     -   R, for each occurrence, is independently selected from —H, an         alkyl, acetyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or aralkoxycarbonyl;     -   R₁ and R₂, for each occurrence are, independently, H, an         optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl,         an optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted heteraralkyl;         or R₁ and R₂ taken together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached is optionally substituted heterocyclyl or optionally         substituted heteroaryl;     -   R₄ and R₅ for each occurrence are, independently, H, an         optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl,         an optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted heteraralkyl;     -   h is 1 or 2;     -   n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; and     -   p, for each occurrence, is, independently, 0, 1, or 2.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (II):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein:

-   -   Y₁ is an alkyl, a heterocyclyl, or an aralkyl, wherein the         alkyl, heterocyclyl or aralkyl is optionally substituted with         one or more substituent selected from the group consisting of an         alkyl, an alkynyl, an cycloalkyl, an cycloalkenyl, an         heterocyclyl, an aryl, an heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NH₂,         —NR₄C(O)R₅, halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄,         —NR₁R₂, —SR₄, —C(O)OH, —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂; and     -   X, R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, A, L, Z, h, n and p are defined as for         formula (I).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (III):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein:

-   -   R₆, for each occurrence, and R₇ are, independently, selected         from the group consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl, an         optionally substituted alkenyl, an optionally substituted         alkynyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally         substituted cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted         heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally         substituted heteroaryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, an         optionally substituted heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)R₅, halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄,         —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OR₄, —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC (O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂;     -   m is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; and     -   Y, R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, A, L, Z, h, n and p are defined as for         formula (I).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (IV):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein t is 0 or an integer from 1 to 8; Y, A, Z, and n are defined as in formula (I); and R₆ and R₇ are defined as in formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (V):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y, L, A, Z, and n are defined as in formula (I); and R₆, R₇ and m are defined as in formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (VI):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein:

-   -   one of X₂, X₃, X₄, or X₅ is N and the others are, independently,         CH or CR₆;     -   q is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3;     -   Y, L, A, Z, and n are defined as in formula (I); and     -   R₆ and R₇ are defined as in formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (XVI):

-   -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or         prodrug thereof, wherein:     -   Y₂ is an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted         alkenyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally         substituted cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an         optionally substituted aralkyl, an optionally substituted         heteroaryl, or an optionally substituted heteroaralkyl;     -   L₁ is a linker selected from the group consisting of —NR₃CR₄R₅—,         —CR₄R₅NR₃—, —C(O)—, —NR₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR₃—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—,         —C(S)—, —C(NR₁₆)—, —NR₃—C(S)—, —C(S)—NR₃—, —NR₃—C(NR₁₆)—,         —C(NR₁₆)—NR₃—, —NR₃C(O)NR₃—, —NR₃C(S)NR₃—, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₃—,         —S(O)₂NR₃—, —NR₃S(O)₂—, —NR₃S(O)₂NR₃—, —NR₃CR₄R₅NR₃—, —CR₄═CR₅—,         —C≡C—, —N═CR₄—, —CR₄═N—, —NR₃—N═CR₄—, or —CR₄═N—NR₃—;     -   R₁₆, for each occurrence is, independently, —H, a halo, an         alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —OR₅, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₅, —C(O)OR₅, or         —C(O)NR₁R₂;     -   R₉ and R₁₀, for each occurrence, are independently, a         substituent;     -   R₃, for each occurrence is, independently, H, an optionally         substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl, an         optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted heteraralkyl;     -   m is 0 or and integer form 1 to 4;     -   u is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; and     -   R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, and Z are defined as for formula (I).

A compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof is particularly useful inhibiting immune cell (e.g., T-cells and/or B-cells) activation (e.g., activation in response to an antigen). In particular, a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof can inhibit the production of certain cytokines that regulate immune cell activation. For example, a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof can inhibit the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF-α, INF-γ and combinations thereof. Moreover, a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof can modulate the activity of one or more ion channel involved in activation of immune cells, such as CRAC ion channels.

A compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof is particularly useful for immunosuppression or for treating or preventing inflammatory conditions, immune disorders and allergic disorders.

The invention also encompasses pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or vehicle. These compositions may further comprise additional agents. These compositions are useful for treating or preventing inflammatory conditions and immune disorders.

The invention further encompasses methods for treating or preventing inflammatory conditions, immune disorders, and allergic disorders comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof. These methods may also comprise administering to the subject an additional agent separately or in a combination composition with the compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof.

The invention further encompasses methods for inhibiting immune cell activation, including inhibiting proliferation of T cells and/or B cells, in vivo or in vitro using an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof.

The invention further encompasses methods for inhibiting cytokine production, (e.g., IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF-α, and/or INF-γ production) in vivo or in vitro using an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof.

The invention further encompasses methods for modulating ion channel activity, particularly, ion channels involved in immune cell activation (e.g., CRAC), in vivo or in vitro using an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof or a pharmaceutical composition comprising an effective amount of a compound of the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof.

All of the methods of this invention may be practice with a compound of the invention alone, or in combination with other agents, such as other agents for immunosuppression, or for treating inflammatory conditions, immune disorder or allergic disorders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

Unless otherwise specified, the below terms used herein are defined as follows:

As used herein, the term an “aromatic ring” or “aryl” means a monocyclic or polycyclic-aromatic ring or ring radical composed of carbon and hydrogen atoms. Examples of suitable aryl groups include, but are not limited to, phenyl, tolyl, anthacenyl, fluorenyl, indenyl, azulenyl, and naphthyl, as well as benzo-fused carbocyclic moieties such as 5,6,7,8-tetrahydronaphthyl. An aryl group can be unsubstituted or substituted with one or more substituents (including without limitation alkyl (preferably, lower alkyl), haloalkyl (preferably trifluoromethyl), hydroxy, alkoxy (preferably, lower alkoxy), alkylsulfanyl (preferably, a lower alkylsulfanyl), cyano, halo, amino, and nitro. In certain embodiments, the aryl group is a monocyclic ring, wherein the ring comprises 6 carbon atoms.

As used herein, the term “alkyl” means a saturated straight chain or branched non-cyclic hydrocarbon typically having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative saturated straight chain alkyls include methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl and n-decyl; while saturated branched alkyls include isopropyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3-methylbutyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 2-methylhexyl, 3-methylhexyl, 4-methylhexyl, 5-methylhexyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylpentyl, 2,4-dimethylpentyl, 2,3-dimethylhexyl, 2,4-dimethylhexyl, 2,5-dimethylhexyl, 2,2-dimethylpentyl, 2,2-dimethylhexyl, 3,3-dimtheylpentyl, 3,3-dimethylhexyl, 4,4-dimethylhexyl, 2-ethylpentyl, 3-ethylpentyl, 2-ethylhexyl, 3-ethylhexyl, 4-ethylhexyl, 2-methyl-2-ethylpentyl, 2-methyl-3-ethylpentyl, 2-methyl-4-ethylpentyl, 2-methyl-2-ethylhexyl, 2-methyl-3-ethylhexyl, 2-methyl-4-ethylhexyl, 2,2-diethylpentyl, 3,3-diethylhexyl, 2,2-diethylhexyl, 3,3-diethylhexyl and the like. Alkyl groups included in compounds of this invention may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents, such as amino, alkylamino, alkoxy, alkylsulfanyl, arylsulfanyl, halo, acyl, nitro, hydroxyl, cyano, aryl, aralkyl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclyloxy, carbocyclylthio, carbocyclylamino, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylamino, heterocyclylthio, and the like. In addition, any carbon in the alkyl segment may be substituted with oxygen (═O), sulfur (═S), or nitrogen (═NR²³, wherein R²³ is —H, an alkyl, acetyl, or aralkyl). Lower alkyls are typically preferred for the compounds of this invention.

The term alkylene refers to an alkyl or cycloalkyl group that has at least two points of attachment to at least two moieties (e.g., {—CH₂—}, —{CH₂CH₂—},

etc., wherein the brackets indicate the points of attachment). Alkylene groups may be substituted or unsubstituted.

The term “aralkyl” or “arylalkyl,” as used herein, refers to an aryl group that is attached to another moiety via an alkylene linker. Aralkyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

The term “alkoxy,” as used herein, refers to an alkyl group which is linked to another moiety though an oxygen atom. Alkoxy groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “alkenyl” means an alkyl radical typically having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and having at least one carbon-carbon double bond. Representative straight chain and branched alkenyls include vinyl, allyl, 1-butenyl, 2-butenyl, isobutylenyl, 1-pentenyl, 2-pentenyl, 3-methyl-1-butenyl, -methyl-2-butenyl, 2,3-dimethyl-2-butenyl, 1-hexenyl, 2-hexenyl, 3-hexenyl, 1-heptenyl, 2-heptenyl, 3-heptenyl, 1-octenyl, 2-octenyl, 3-octenyl, 1-nonenyl, 2-nonenyl, 3-nonenyl, 1-decenyl, 2-decenyl, 3-decenyl and the like. Alkenyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “alkynyl” means an alkyl radical typically having from 2 to 10 carbon atoms and having at lease one carbon-carbon triple bond. Representative straight chain and branched alkynyls include acetylenyl, propynyl, 1-butynyl, 2-butynyl, 1-pentynyl, 2-pentynyl, 3-methyl-1-butynyl, 4-pentynyl,-1-hexynyl, 2-hexynyl, 5-hexynyl, 1-heptynyl, 2-heptynyl, 6-heptynyl, 1-octynyl, 2-octynyl, 7-octynyl, 1-nonynyl, 2-nonynyl, 8-nonynyl, 1-decynyl, 2-decynyl, 9-decynyl and the like. Alkynyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “cycloalkyl” means a saturated cyclic alkyl radical typically having from 3 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative cycloalkyls include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, cyclononyl, and cyclodecyl. Cycloalkyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “bicycloalkyl” means a bi-cyclic alkyl system typically having from 8 to 14 carbon atoms and at least one saturated cyclic alkyl ring. Representative bicyclocycloalkyls include decahydronaphthyl, adamantyl, bicycle[4.3.3]dodecyl, and the like. Bicycloalkyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “cycloalkenyl” means a cyclic non-aromatic alkenyl radical having at least one carbon-carbon double bond in the cyclic system and typically having from 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Representative cycloalkenyls include cyclopentenyl, cyclopentadienyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclohexadienyl, cycloheptenyl, cycloheptadienyl, cycloheptatrienyl, cyclooctenyl, cyclooctadienyl, cyclooctatrienyl, cyclooctatetraenyl, cyclononenyl, cyclononadienyl, cyclodecenyl, cyclodecadienyl and the like. Cycloalkenyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “carbocycle” or “carbocyclyl” refers collectively to cycloalkyls, cycloalkenyls, and bicycloalkyls. A carbocycle can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “heterocycle” or “heterocyclyl” means a monocyclic (typically having 3- to 10-members) or a polycyclic (typically having 8- to 14-members) heterocyclic ring which is either a saturated ring or a unsaturated non-aromatic ring. A 3- to 10-membered heterocycle can contain up to 5 heteroatoms; and a 8- to 14-membered heterocycle can contain up to 6 heteroatoms. Typically, a heterocycle has at least one carbon atom ring member. Each heteroatom is independently selected from nitrogen, which can be oxidized (e.g., N(O))quaternized; oxygen; and sulfur, including sulfoxide and sulfone. The heterocycle may be attached via any heteroatom or carbon atom. Representative heterocycles include morpholinyl, thiomorpholinyl, pyrrolidinonyl, pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, hydantoinyl, valerolactamyl, oxiranyl, oxetanyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydropyrindinyl, tetrahydropyrimidinyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, tetrahydrothiopyranyl, and the like. A heteroatom may be substituted with a protecting group known to those of ordinary skill in the art, for example, the hydrogen on a nitrogen may be substituted with a tert-butoxycarbonyl group. Furthermore, the heterocyclyl may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents (including without limitation a halogen atom, an alkyl radical, or aryl radical). Only stable isomers of such substituted heterocyclic groups are contemplated in this definition. Heterocyclyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “heteroaromatic” or “heteroaryl” means a monocyclic (typically having 5- to 10-members) or polycyclic (typically having 8- to 14-members) heteroaromatic ring (or radical thereof) comprising carbon atom ring members and one or more heteroatom ring members, such as, for example, oxygen, sulfur (including S(O) and S(O)₂) or nitrogen (including N(O) or quaternized nitrogen). In one embodiment, the heteroaromatic ring is selected from 5-8 membered heteroaryl rings. In another embodiment, the heteroaromatic ring is a 5 or 6 membered ring. In another embodiment, the heteroaromatic ring has from 1 to about 4 heteroatoms selected from oxygen, sulfur and nitrogen. Representative heteroaryls include pyridyl, furanyl, thiophenyl, pyrrolyl, oxazolyl, imidazolyl, indolizinyl, thiazolyl, isoxazolyl, pyrazolyl, isothiazolyl, pyridazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyrazinyl, triazinyl, triazolyl, pyridinyl, thiadiazolyl, pyrazinyl, quinolyl, isoquniolyl, indazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, benzofuryl, benzothiazolyl, imidazopyridinyl, isothiazolyl, tetrazolyl, benzimidazolyl, benzoxazolyl, benzothiazolyl, benzothiadiazolyl, benzoxadiazolyl, indolyl, tetrahydroindolyl, azaindolyl, imidazopyridyl, quinazolinyl, purinyl, [1,2,3]thiadiazolyl, 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizinyl, imidazo[4,5-a]pyridyl, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, imidazo[4,5-b[pyridyl, imidazo[4,5-c]pyridyl, pyrrolo[2,3]pyrimidyl, pyrazolo[3,4]pyrimidyl or benzo(b)thienyl and the like. These heteroaryl groups may be optionally substituted with one or more substituents including (but not limited to amino, alkylamino, alkoxy, alkylthio, oxo, halo, acyl, nitro, hydroxyl, cyano, aryl, alkylaryl, aryloxy, arylthio, arylamino, carbocyclyl, carbocyclyloxy, carbocyclylthio, carbocyclylamino, heterocyclyl, heterocyclyloxy, heterocyclylamino, heterocyclylthio, and the like. Particular heteroaryl substituents include halo, lower cyano, haloalkyl, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, hydroxyl, amino, lower alkylsulfanyl, —C(O)O-(lower alkyl), —C(O)NH₂, —OC(O)-(lower alkyl), and —C(O)-(lower alkyl).

The term “heteroaralkyl” or “heteroarylalkyl,” as used herein, refers to a heteroaryl group that is attached to another moiety via an alkylene linker. Heteroaralkyl groups can be substituted or unsubstituted.

As used herein, the term “halogen” or “halo” means —F, —Cl, —Br or —I.

As used herein, the term “haloalkyl” means an alkyl group in which one or more —H is replaced with a halo group. Examples of haloalkyl groups include —CF₃, —CHF₂, —CCl₃, —CH₂CH₂Br, —CH₂CH(CH₂CH₂Br)CH₃, —CHICH₃, and the like.

As used herein, the term “haloalkoxy” or “haloalkyloxy” means an alkyl group in which one or more —H is replaced with a halo group and which is attached to another moiety through an oxygen. Examples of haloalkoxy groups include —OCF₃ and —OCHF₂.

As used herein, the term “alkoxycarbonyl” means a group having the formula —C(O)O-(alkyl). An example of an alkoxycarbonyl is t-butoxycabonyl.

As used herein, the term “aralkoxycarbonyl” means a group having the formula —C(O)O-(aralkyl). An example of an aralkoxycarbonyl is benzyloxycabonyl.

As used herein, the terms “subject”, “patient” and “animal”, are used interchangeably and include, but are not limited to, a cow, monkey, horse, sheep, pig, chicken, turkey, quail, cat, dog, mouse, rat, rabbit, guinea pig and human. The preferred subject, patient or animal is a human.

As used herein, the term “lower” refers to a group having up to four atoms. For example, a “lower alkyl” refers to an alkyl radical having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a “lower alkenyl” or “lower alkynyl” refers to an alkenyl or alkynyl radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, and a lower alkoxy refers to an alkoxy having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Lower substituents are typically preferred.

Where a particular substituent occurs multiple times in a given structure or moeity, the identity of the substitutent is independent in each case and may be the same as or different from other occurrences of that substituent in the structure or moiety. Furthermore, individual substituents in the specific embodiments and exemplary compounds of this invention are preferred in combination with other such substituents in the compounds of this invention, even if such individual substituents are not expressly noted as being preferred or not expressly shown in combination with other substituents.

The compounds of the invention are defined herein by their chemical structures and/or chemical names. Where a compound is referred to by both a chemical structure and a chemical name, and the chemical structure and chemical name conflict, the chemical structure is determinative of the compound's identity.

Suitable substituents for an alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroaralkyl groups include any substituent which will form a stable compound of the invention. Examples of substituents for an alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroarylalkyl include an alkyl, an alkenyl, an alkynyl, an cycloalkyl, an cycloalkenyl, an heterocyclyl, an aryl, an heteroaryl, an aralkyl, an heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)R₅, halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OR₄, —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂, wherein R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, h and p are as defined above. In one embodiment, suitable substituents for an alkyl, alkylene, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocyclyl, aryl, aralkyl, heteroaryl, and heteroaralkyl groups include a halo, nitro, cyano, a haloalkyl, —OR₃, —SR₃, —NR₁R₂, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl, an optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, an optionally substituted heteraralkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₃, —C(O)OR₃, —C(O)SR₃, —C(S)NR₁R₂, —C(S)R₃, —C(S)OR₃, —C(S)SR₃, —C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —C(NR₁₆)R₃, —C(NR₁₆)OR₃, —C(NR₁₆)SR₃, —S(O)_(h)R₃, —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂, —P(O)(OR₃)₂, —P(S)(OR₃)₂, —P(O)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(S)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(O)(SR₃)₂, —P(S)(SR₃)₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)R₃, —OC(O)OR₃, —OC(O)SR₃, —NR₃C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(O)R₄, —NR₃C(O)OR₄, —NR₃C(O)SR₄, —SC(O)NR₁R₂, —SC(O)R₃, —SC(O)OR₃, —SC(O)SR₃, —OC(S)NR₁R₂, —OC(S)R₃, —OC(S)OR₃, —OC(S)SR₃, —NR₃C(S)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(S)R₄, —NR₃C(S)OR₄, —NR₃C(S)SR₄, —SC(S)NR₁R₂, —SC(S)R₃, —SC(S)OR₃, —SC(S)SR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —OC(NR₁₆)R₃, —OC(NR₁₆)OR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)SR₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)R₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)OR₄, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)SR₄, —OS(O)_(h)R₃, —NR₃S(O)_(h)R₄, —OP(O)(OR₃)₂, and —OP(S)(OR₃)₂; wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₁₆, h and p are as defined above.

In addition, alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkylene, a heterocyclyl, and any saturated portion of a alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, and heteroaralkyl groups, may also be substituted with ═O, ═S, ═N—R₄.

When a heterocyclyl, heteroaryl, or heteroaralkyl group contains a nitrogen atom, it may be substituted or unsubstituted. When a nitrogen atom in the aromatic ring of a heteroaryl group has a substituent the nitrogen may be a quaternary nitrogen.

Choices and combinations of substituents and variables envisioned by this invention are only those that result in the formation of stable compounds. The term “stable”, as used herein, refers to compounds which possess stability sufficient to allow manufacture and which maintains the integrity of the compound for a sufficient period of time to be useful for the purposes detailed herein (e.g., therapeutic or prophylactic administration to a subject). Typically, such compounds are stable at a temperature of 40° C. or less, in the absence of excessive moisture, for at least one week. Such choices and combinations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be determined without undue experimentation.

Unless indicated otherwise, the compounds of the invention containing reactive functional groups (such as (without limitation) carboxy, hydroxy, and amino moieties) also include protected derivatives thereof. “Protected derivatives” are those compounds in which a reactive site or sites are blocked with one or more protecting groups. Suitable protecting groups for carboxy moieties include benzyl, tert-butyl, and the like. Suitable protecting groups for amino and amido groups include acetyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl, and the like. Suitable proetecting groups for hydroxy include benzyl, methoxymethyl and the like. Other suitable protecting groups are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and include those found in T. W. Greene, Protecting Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 1981, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein, the term “compound(s) of this invention” and similar terms refers to a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), Table 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof and also include protected derivatives thereof.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the term “prodrug” means a derivative of a compound that can hydrolyze, oxidize, or otherwise react under biological conditions (in vitro or in vivo) to provide a compound of this invention. Prodrugs may only become active upon such reaction under biological conditions, but they may have activity in their unreacted forms. Examples of prodrugs contemplated in this invention include, but are not limited to, analogs or derivatives of compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or Table 1 that comprise biohydrolyzable moieties such as biohydrolyzable amides, biohydrolyzable esters, biohydrolyzable carbamates, biohydrolyzable carbonates, biohydrolyzable ureides, and biohydrolyzable phosphate analogues. Other examples of prodrugs include derivatives of compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or Table 1 that comprise —NO, —NO₂, —ONO, or —ONO₂ moieties. Prodrugs can typically be prepared using well-known methods, such as those described by 1 BURGER'S MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY AND DRUG DISCOVERY (1995) 172-178, 949-982 (Manfred E. Wolff ed., 5^(th) ed), the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein and unless otherwise indicated, the terms “biohydrolyzable amide”, “biohydrolyzable ester”, “biohydrolyzable carbamate”, “biohydrolyzable carbonate”, “biohydrolyzable ureide” and “biohydrolyzable phosphate analogue” mean an amide, ester, carbamate, carbonate, ureide, or phosphate analogue, respectively, that either: 1) does not destroy the biological activity of the compound and confers upon that compound advantageous properties in vivo, such as uptake, duration of action, or onset of action; or 2) is itself biologically inactive but is converted in vivo to a biologically active compound. Examples of biohydrolyzable amides include, but are not limited to, lower alkyl amides, α-amino acid amides, alkoxyacyl amides, and alkylaminoalkylcarbonyl amides. Examples of biohydrolyzable esters include, but are not limited to, lower alkyl esters, alkoxyacyloxy esters, alkyl acylamino alkyl esters, and choline esters. Examples of biohydrolyzable carbamates include, but are not limited to, lower alkylamines, substituted ethylenediamines, aminoacids, hydroxyalkylamines, heterocyclic and heteroaromatic amines, and polyether amines.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt,” is a salt formed from an acid and a basic group of one of the compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI) or Table 1. Illustrative salts include, but are not limited, to sulfate, citrate, acetate, oxalate, chloride, bromide, iodide, nitrate, bisulfate, phosphate, acid phosphate, isonicotinate, lactate, salicylate, acid citrate, tartrate, oleate, tannate, pantothenate, bitartrate, ascorbate, succinate, maleate, gentisinate, fumarate, gluconate, glucaronate, saccharate, formate, benzoate, glutamate, methanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, benzenesulfonate, p-toluenesulfonate, and pamoate (i.e., 1,1′-methylene-bis-(2-hydroxy-3-naphthoate)) salts. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” also refers to a salt prepared from a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI) or Table 1 having an acidic functional group, such as a carboxylic acid functional group, and a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic base. Suitable bases include, but are not limited to, hydroxides of alkali metals such as sodium, potassium, and lithium; hydroxides of alkaline earth metal such as calcium and magnesium; hydroxides of other metals, such as aluminum and zinc; ammonia, and organic amines, such as unsubstituted or hydroxy-substituted mono-, di-, or trialkylamines; dicyclohexylamine; tributyl amine; pyridine; N-methyl-N-ethylamine; diethylamine; triethylamine; mono-, bis-, or tris-(2-hydroxy-lower alkyl amines), such as mono-, bis-, or tris-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, 2-hydroxy-tert-butylamine, or tris-(hydroxymethyl)methylamine, N,N,-di-lower alkyl-N-(hydroxy lower alkyl)-amines, such as N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine, or tri-(2-hydroxyethyl)amine; N-methyl-D-glucamine; and amino acids such as arginine, lysine, and the like. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” also refers to a salt prepared from a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI) or Table 1 having a basic functional group, such as an amino functional group, and a pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acid. Suitable acids include, but are not limited to, hydrogen sulfate, citric acid, acetic acid, oxalic acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrogen bromide, hydrogen iodide, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, isonicotinic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, ascorbic acid, succinic acid, maleic acid, besylic acid, fumaric acid, gluconic acid, glucaronic acid, saccharic acid, formic acid, benzoic acid, glutamic acid, methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, and p-toluenesulfonic acid.

As used herein, the term “pharmaceutically acceptable solvate,” is a solvate formed from the association of one or more solvent molecules to one or more molecules of a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI) or Table 1. The term solvate includes hydrates (e.g., hemi-hydrate, mono-hydrate, dihydrate, trihydrate, tetrahydrate, and the like).

As used herein, the term “clathrate” means a compound of the present invention or a salt thereof in the form of a crystal lattice that contains spaces (e.g., channels) that have a guest molecule (e.g., a solvent or water) trapped within.

As used herein, the term “asthma” means a pulmonary disease, disorder or condition characterized by reversible airway obstruction, airway inflammation, and increased airway responsiveness to a variety of stimuli.

“Immunosuppression” refers to impairment of any component of the immune system resulting in decreased immune function. This impairment may be measured by any conventional means including whole blood assays of lymphocyte function, detection of lymphocyte proliferation and assessment of the expression of T cell surface antigens. The antisheep red blood cell (SRBC) primary (IgM) antibody response assay (usually referred to as the plaque assay) is one specific method. This and other methods are described in Luster, M. I., Portier, C., Pait, D. G., White, K. L., Jr., Gennings, C., Munson, A. E., and Rosenthal, G. J. (1992). “Risk Assessment in Immunotoxicology I: Sensitivity and Predictability of Immune Tests.” Fundam. Appl. Toxicol., 18, 200-210. Measuring the immune response to a T-cell dependent immunogen is another particularly useful assay (Dean, J. H., House, R. V., and Luster, M. I. (2001). “Immunotoxicology: Effects of, and Responses to, Drugs and Chemicals.” In Principles and Methods of Toxicology: Fourth Edition (A. W. Hayes, Ed.), pp. 1415-1450, Taylor & Francis, Philadelphia, Pa.). Patients in need of immunosuppression include patients who have received organ transplants (e.g., patients who have received kidney, heart, lung, liver, pancreatic corneal transplants or skin grafts), patients who have autoimmune disorders or patients who have inflammatory disorders.

The compounds of this invention can be used to treat subjects with immune disorders. As used herein, the term “immune disorder” and like terms means a disease, disorder or condition caused by the immune system of an animal, including autoimmune disorders. Immune disorders include those diseases, disorders or conditions that have an immune component and those that are substantially or entirely immune system-mediated. Autoimmune disorders are those wherein the animal's own immune system mistakenly attacks itself, thereby targeting the cells, tissues, and/or organs of the animal's own body. For example, the autoimmune reaction is directed against the brain in multiple sclerosis and the gut in Crohn's disease. In other autoimmune disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), affected tissues and organs may vary among individuals with the same disease. One person with lupus may have affected skin and joints whereas another may have affected skin, kidney, and lungs. Ultimately, damage to certain tissues by the immune system may be permanent, as with destruction of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas in Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Specific autoimmune disorders that may be ameliorated using the compounds and methods of this invention include without limitation, autoimmune disorders of the nervous system (e.g., multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, autoimmune neuropathies such as Guillain-Barré, and autoimmune uveitis), autoimmune disorders of the blood (e.g., autoimmune hemolytic anemia, pernicious anemia, and autoimmune thrombocytopenia), autoimmune disorders of the blood vessels (e.g., temporal arteritis, anti-phospholipid syndrome, vasculitides such as Wegener's granulomatosis, and Behcet's disease), autoimmune disorders of the skin (e.g., psoriasis, dermatitis herpetiformis, pemphigus vulgaris, and vitiligo), autoimmune disorders of the gastrointestinal system (e.g., Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, and autoimmune hepatitis), autoimmune disorders of the endocrine glands (e.g., Type 1 or immune-mediated diabetes mellitus, Grave's disease. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, autoimmune oophoritis and orchitis, and autoimmune disorder of the adrenal gland); and autoimmune disorders of multiple organs (including connective tissue and musculoskeletal system diseases) (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, spondyloarthropathies such as ankylosing spondylitis, and Sjogren's syndrome). In addition, other immune system mediated diseases, such as graft-versus-host disease and allergic disorders, are also included in the definition of immune disorders herein. Because a number of immune disorders are caused by inflammation, there is some overlap between disorders that are considered immune disorders and inflammatory disorders. For the purpose of this invention, in the case of such an overlapping disorder, it may be considered either an immune disorder or an inflammatory disorder. “Treatment of an immune disorder” herein refers to administering a compound or a composition of the invention to a subject, who has an immune disorder, a symptom of such a disease or a predisposition towards such a disease, with the purpose to cure, relieve, alter, affect, or prevent the autoimmune disorder, the symptom of it, or the predisposition towards it.

As used herein, the term “allergic disorder” means a disease, condition or disorder associated with an allergic response against normally innocuous substances. These substances may be found in the environment (such as indoor air pollutants and aeroallergens) or they may be non-environmental (such as those causing dermatological or food allergies). Allergens can enter the body through a number of routes, including by inhalation, ingestion, contact with the skin or injection (including by insect sting). Many allergic disorders are linked to atopy, a predisposition to generate the allergic antibody IgE. Because IgE is able to sensitize mast cells anywhere in the body, atopic individuals often express disease in more than one organ. For the purpose of this invention, allergic disorders include any hypersensitivity that occurs upon re-exposure to the sensitizing allergen, which in turn causes the release of inflammatory mediators. Allergic disorders include without limitation, allergic rhinitis (e.g., hay fever), sinusitis, rhinosinusitis, chronic or recurrent otitis media, drug reactions, insect sting reactions, latex reactions, conjunctivitis, urticaria, anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions, atopic dermatitis, asthma and food allergies.

The compounds of this invention can be used to prevent or to treat subjects with inflammatory disorders. As used herein, an “inflammatory disorder” means a disease, disorder or condition characterized by inflammation of body tissue or having an inflammatory component. These include local inflammatory responses and systemic inflammation. Examples of such inflammatory disorders include: transplant rejection; chronic inflammatory disorders of the joints, including arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and bone diseases associated with increased bone resorption; inflammatory bowel diseases such as ileitis, ulcerative colitis, Barrett's syndrome, and Crohn's disease; inflammatory lung disorders such as asthma, adult respiratory distress syndrome, and chronic obstructive airway disease; inflammatory disorders of the eye including corneal dystrophy, trachoma, onchocerciasis, uveitis, sympathetic ophthalmitis and endophthalmitis; chronic inflammatory disorders of the gums, including gingivitis and periodontitis; tuberculosis; leprosy; inflammatory diseases of the kidney including uremic complications, glomerulonephritis and nephrosis; inflammatory disorders of the skin including sclerodermatitis, psoriasis and eczema; inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, including chronic demyelinating diseases of the nervous system, multiple sclerosis, AIDS-related neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's disease, infectious meningitis, encephalomyelitis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and viral or autoimmune encephalitis; autoimmune disorders, immune-complex vasculitis, systemic lupus and erythematodes; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE); and inflammatory diseases of the heart such as cardiomyopathy, ischemic heart disease hypercholesterolemia, atherosclerosis); as well as various other diseases with significant inflammatory components, including preeclampsia; chronic liver failure, brain and spinal cord trauma, cancer). There may also be a systemic inflammation of the body, exemplified by gram-positive or gram negative shock, hemorrhagic or anaphylactic shock, or shock induced by cancer chemotherapy in response to pro-inflammatory cytokines, e.g., shock associated with pro-inflammatory cytokines. Such shock can be induced, e.g., by a chemotherapeutic agent used in cancer chemotherapy. “Treatment of an inflammatory disorder” herein refers to administering a compound or a composition of the invention to a subject, who has an inflammatory disorder, a symptom of such a disorder or a predisposition towards such a disorder, with the purpose to cure, relieve, alter, affect, or prevent the inflammatory disorder, the symptom of it, or the predisposition towards it.

An “effective amount” is the quantity of compound in which a beneficial outcome is achieved when the compound is administered to a subject or alternatively, the quantity of compound that possess a desired activity in-vivo or in-vitro. In the case of inflammatory disorders, allergic disorders and autoimmune disorders, a beneficial clinical outcome includes reduction in the extent or severity of the symptoms associated with the disease or disorder and/or an increase in the longevity and/or quality of life of the subject compared with the absence of the treatment. The precise amount of compound administered to a subject will depend on the type and severity of the disease or condition and on the characteristics of the subject, such as general health, age, sex, body weight and tolerance to drugs. It will also depend on the degree, severity and type of inflammatory disorder or autoimmune disorder, allergic disorders, or the degree of immunosuppression sought. The skilled artisan will be able to determine appropriate dosages depending on these and other factors. Effective amounts of the disclosed compounds typically range between about 1 mg/mm² per day and about 10 grams/mm² per day, and preferably between 10 mg/mm² per day and about 1 gram/mm².

The compounds of the invention may contain one or more chiral centers and/or double bonds and, therefore, exist as stereoisomers, such as double-bond isomers (i.e., geometric isomers), enantiomers, or diastereomers. According to this invention, the chemical structures depicted herein, including the compounds of this invention, encompass all of the corresponding compounds' geometric isomers, enantiomers and stereoisomers, that is, both the stereomerically pure form (e.g., geometrically pure, enantiomerically pure, or diastereomerically pure) and enantiomeric, diastereomeric, and geometric isomeric mixtures. In some cases, one enantiomer, diastereomer, or geometric isomer will possess superior activity or an improved toxicity or kinetic profile compared to others. In those cases, such enantiomers, diastereomers, and geometric isomers of a compound of this invention are preferred.

The term “inhibit production of IL-2” and like terms means inhibiting IL-2 synthesis (e.g. by inhibiting transcription (mRNA expression), or translation (protein expression)) and/or inhibiting IL-2 secretion in a cell that has the ability to produce and/or secrete IL-2 (e.g., T lymphocyte). Likewise, the term “inhibiting production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF-α or INF-γ means inhibiting the synthesis (e.g. by inhibiting transcription, or translation) and/or inhibiting the secretion in a cell that has the ability to produce and/or secrete these cytokines.

As used herein, a composition that “substantially” comprises a compound means that the composition contains more than about 80% by weight, more preferably more than about 90% by weight, even more preferably more than about 95% by weight, and most preferably more than about 97% by weight of the compound.

As used herein, a composition that is “substantially free” of a compound means that the composition contains less than about 20% by weight, more preferably less than about 10% by weight, even more preferably less than about 5% by weight, and most preferably less than about 3% by weight of the compound.

As used herein, a reaction that is “substantially complete” means that the reaction contains more than about 80% by weight of the desired product, more preferably more than about 90% by weight of the desired product, even more preferably more than about 95% by weight of the desired product, and most preferably more than about 97% by weight of the desired product.

As used herein, a racemic mixture means about 50% of one enantiomer and about 50% of is corresponding enantiomer relative to all chiral centers in the molecule. The invention encompasses all enantiomerically-pure, enantiomerically-enriched, diastereomerically pure, diastereomerically enriched, and racemic mixtures of the compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI) pr Table 1.

Enantiomeric and diastereomeric mixtures can be resolved into their component enantiomers or stereoisomers by well known methods, such as chiral-phase gas chromatography, chiral-phase high performance liquid chromatography, crystallizing the compound as a chiral salt complex, or crystallizing the compound in a chiral solvent. Enantiomers and diastereomers can also be obtained from diastereomerically- or enantiomerically-pure intermediates, reagents, and catalysts by well known asymmetric synthetic methods.

When administered to a patient, e.g., to a non-human animal for veterinary use or for improvement of livestock, or to a human for clinical use, the compounds of the invention are typically administered in isolated form or as the isolated form in a pharmaceutical composition. As used herein, “isolated” means that the compounds of the invention are separated from other components of either (a) a natural source, such as a plant or cell, preferably bacterial culture, or (b) a synthetic organic chemical reaction mixture. Preferably, via conventional techniques, the compounds of the invention are purified. As used herein, “purified” means that when isolated, the isolate contains at least 95%, preferably at least 98%, of a single compound of the invention by weight of the isolate.

Only those choices and combinations of substituents that result in a stable structure are contemplated. Such choices and combinations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art and may be determined without undue experimentation.

The invention can be understood more fully by reference to the following detailed description and illustrative examples, which are intended to exemplify non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

Specific Embodiments

The invention relates to compounds and pharmaceutical compositions that are particularly useful for immunosuppression or to treat or prevent inflammatory conditions, immune disorders, and allergic disorders.

One embodiment of the invention relates to compounds of formula (I):

-   -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or         prodrug thereof, wherein:     -   X is an optionally substituted benzoimidazolyl, an optionally         substituted 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizinyl, an optionally         substituted imidazo[4,5-a]pyridyl, an optionally substituted         imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, an optionally substituted         imidazo[4,5-b]pyridyl, or an optionally substituted         imidazo[4,5-c]pyridyl;     -   Y is an unsubstituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl,         an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally         substituted heteroaryl, or an optionally substituted         heteroaralkyl;     -   A is —O—, —S(O)_(p)—, —NH—, —NZ—, —CH═CH—, —CZ═CH—, —CH═CZ—,         —CZ═CZ-, —N═CH—, —N═CZ—, —CH═N—, —CZ═N—, or an N-oxide of         —N═CH—, —N═CZ—, —CH═N—, or —CZ═N—;     -   Z, for each occurrence, is independently selected from the group         consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally         substituted alkenyl, an optionally substituted alkynyl, an         optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an         optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted         heteroaryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, an optionally         substituted heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)R₅,         halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OR₄,         —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄,         or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂;     -   L is a linker selected from the group consisting of an         optionally substituted lower alkyl, and optionally substituted         lower alkenyl, —NRCR₄R₅—, —C(O)—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—, —NR—C(O)—,         —C(O)—NR—, —NR—C(O)—NR—, —C(S)—, —NR—S(O)_(h)—, —S(O)_(h)—NR—,         —NR—C(═NR)—, —NR—C(═NR)—NR—, —NR—C(═N—CN)—NR—,         —NR—C(═N—NO₂)—NR—, —NR—C(S)—, —C(S)—NR—, or —NR—C(S)—NR—;     -   R, for each occurrence, is independently selected from —H, an         alkyl, acetyl, alkoxycarbonyl, or aralkoxycarbonyl;     -   R₁ and R₂, for each occurrence are, independently, H, an         optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl,         an optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted heteraralkyl;         or R₁ and R₂ taken together with the nitrogen to which they are         attached is optionally substituted heterocyclyl or optionally         substituted heteroaryl;     -   R₄ and R₅ for each occurrence are, independently, H, an         optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl,         an optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted heteraralkyl;     -   h is 1 or 2;     -   n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; and     -   p, for each occurrence, is, independently, 0, 1, or 2.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (II):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein:

-   -   Y₁ is an alkyl, a heterocyclyl, or an aralkyl, wherein the         alkyl, heterocyclyl or aralkyl is optionally substituted with         one or more substituent selected from the group consisting of an         alkyl, an alkynyl, an cycloalkyl, an cycloalkenyl, an         heterocyclyl, an aryl, an heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NH₂,         —NR₄C(O)R₅, halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄,         —NR₁R₂, —SR₄, —C(O)OH, —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂; and     -   X, R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, A, L, Z, h, n and p are defined as for         formula (I).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (III):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein:

-   -   R₆, for each occurrence, and R₇ are, independently, selected         from the group consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl, an         optionally substituted alkenyl, an optionally substituted         alkynyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally         substituted cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted         heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally         substituted heteroaryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, an         optionally substituted heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)R₅, halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄,         —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OR₄, —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂;     -   m is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; and     -   Y, R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, A, L, Z, h, n and p are defined as for         formula (I).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (XII)

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein X₁ is N, CH or CZ; Y, L, Z, and n are defined as for formula (I); and R₆, R₇ and m are defined as in formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (VII):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y and L are defined as for formula (I); and R₆ and R₇ are defined as for formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (VIII):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein:

-   -   R₈, for each occurrence, is, independently, selected from the         group consisting of an optionally substituted alkyl, an         optionally substituted alkenyl, an optionally substituted         alkynyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally         substituted cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted         heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an optionally         substituted heteroaryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, an         optionally substituted heteraralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)R₅, halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄,         —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OR₄, —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂; and     -   r is 0 or an integer from 1 to 5;     -   Z, R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, h, n, and p are defined as for formula (I);         R₆, R₇ and m are defined as for formula (III); and X₁ is defined         as in formula (XII).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (IX):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein R₆, and R₇ are defined as for formula (III); and R₈ and r are defined as in formula (VIII).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (IV):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein t is 0 or an integer from 1 to 8; Y, A, Z, and n are defined as for formula (I); and R₆ and R₇ are defined as for formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (XIII):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y, L, Z, and n are defined as for formula (I); R₆ and R₇ are defined as in formula (III); X, is defined as in formula (XII); and t is defined as in formula (IV).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (X):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y is defined as for formula (I); and R₇ is defined as for formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (V):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y, L, A, Z, and n are defined as in formula (I); and R₆, R₇ and m are defined as in formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (XIV):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y, L, Z, and n are defined as in formula (I); R₆, R₇, and m are defined as for formula (III); and X₁ is defined as in formula (XII).

In one embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (XI):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y is defined as in formula (I); and R₇ is defined as in formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (VI):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein:

-   -   one of X₂, X₃, X₄, or X₅ is N and the others are, independently,         CH or CR₆;     -   q is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3;     -   Y, L, A, Z, and n are defined as in formula (I); and R₆ and R₇         are defined as in formula (III).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (XV):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof wherein Y, L, Z, and n are defined as for formula (I); R₆ and R₇ are defined as for formula (III); X₁ is defined as for formula (XII); and X₂, X₃, X₄, X₅ and q are defined as for formula (VI).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds represented by formula (XVI):

-   -   or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or         prodrug thereof, wherein:     -   Y₂ is an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted         alkenyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally         substituted cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted aryl, an         optionally substituted aralkyl, an optionally substituted         heteroaryl, or an optionally substituted heteroaralkyl;     -   L₁ is a linker selected from the group consisting of —NR₃CR₄R₅—,         —CR₄R₅NR₃—, —C(O)—, —NR₃—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR₃—, —OC(O)—, —C(O)O—,         —C(S)—, —C(NR₁₆)—, —NR₃—C(S)—, —C(S)—NR₃—, —NR₃—C(NR₁₆)—,         —C(NR₁₆)—NR₃—, —NR₃C(O)NR₃—, —NR₃C(S)NR₃—, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₃—,         —S(O)₂NR₃—, —NR₃S(O)₂—, —NR₃S(O)₂NR₃—, —NR₃CR₄R₅NR₃—, —CR₄═CR₅—,         —C≡C—, —N═CR₄—, —CR₄═N—, —NR₃—N═CR₄—, or —CR₄═N—NR₃—;     -   R₁₆, for each occurrence is, independently, —H, a halo, an         alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —OR₅, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₅, —C(O)OR₅, or         —C(O)NR₁R₂;     -   R₃, for each occurrence is, independently, H, an optionally         substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl, an         optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, or an optionally substituted heteraralkyl;     -   R₉ and R₁₀, for each occurrence, are independently, a         substituent;     -   m is 0 or and integer form 1 to 4;     -   u is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; and     -   Z, R₁, R₂, R₄, R₅, h, and p are defined as for formula (I).

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   2,3,6-Trifluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3,5-Trifluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3,4-Trifluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Methyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   3-Fluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   2,4-Dichloro-5-fluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,4-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Nitro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-methylsulfanyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-thiobenzamide;     -   2,3-Dichloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-6-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Fluoro-2-chloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3,6-Trifluoro-5-amino-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-methyl-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Methyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-6-cyano-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-4-amino-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-(3-{N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-carbamoyl}-2,4,5-trifluoro-phenyl)-carbamic         acid t-butyl ester;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-chloro-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-chloro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]}amide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[2-chloro-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Fluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-bromo-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]}amide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-trifluoromethyl-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-(4-{N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-carbamoyl}-2,3-difluoro-phenyl)-carbamic         acid t-butyl ester;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5,6-dimethoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-iodo-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N′-[2-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyrid-5-yl]-N-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-thiourea;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-tert-butyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[2-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyrid-3-yl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-cyano-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Difluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-amino-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-methanesulfinyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Difluoro-N-[2-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyrid-5-yl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5,6-dimethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-4-amino-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-nicotinamide;     -   N-(2,3-difluorophenyl)-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-benzamide;     -   1-(2,3-difluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acrylonitrile;     -   1-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acrylonitrile;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-isopropyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N′-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-(2,5-difluoropheyl)-urea;     -   1-Oxo-3-fluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzenesulfonamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-acetylamino-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[2-methyl-4-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-{4-[2-trifluoromethyl-5-(1,3-dioxo-isoindol-2-yl)benzoimidazol-1-yl]-phenyl}-benzamide;     -   4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]}amide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-methyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5,6-dihydroxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5-c]pyrid-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5-carboxylic acid         {N-[2-(2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyrid-5-yl]}amide;     -   2,4,6-Trichloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-{4-[2,5-di-(trifluoromethyl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-phenyl}-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methanesulfonyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Butyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Difluoro-N-{4-[2-trifluoromethyl-5-(5-tert-butyl-oxazol-2-yl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-phenyl}-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-{4-[2-trifluoromethyl-5-(5-tert-butyl-oxazol-2-yl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-phenyl}-benzamide;     -   Furan-2-carboxylic acid         (N-{4-[2-trifluoromethyl-5-(5-tert-butyl-oxazol-2-yl)-benzoimidazol-1-yl]-phenyl})amide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3,4,5-Tetrafluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Phenyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Iodo-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]}amide;     -   Benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]}amide;     -   4-Methyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Cyano-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Nitro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Ethyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Trifluoromethyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3,5-Dinitro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-butyramide;     -   Naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]}amide;     -   3-Methyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-but-2-enoic         acid amide;     -   4-Propyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   Thiophene-2-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]}amide;     -   2-Ethyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-hexanoic         acid amide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-heptanoic         acid amide;     -   3-Methoxy-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Phenyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-cyclopropanecarboxylic         acid amide;     -   3-Trifluoromethyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acetamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-6-acetylamino-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-(Thien-2-yl)-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acetamide;     -   2-phenyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acetamide;     -   2-Trifluoromethyl-1-[4-(2,3-difluoro-benzoylamimo)-phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic         acid methyl ester;     -   2,3,4,5,6-Pentafluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,4-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-hydroxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Cyano-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,6-Dichloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3,5-Dichloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Bromo-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-cyclopentanecarboxylic         acid amide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-cyclohexanecarboxylic         acid amide;     -   2-Nitro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Chloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Chloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3,4-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-isopropoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-carbamoyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   2-Iodo-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Methyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-butyramide;     -   3,5-Dichloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Bromo-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   4-Bromo-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   Furan-2-carboxylic acid         {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]}-amide;     -   1-(2,2,2-Trifluoroacetyl)-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic         acid amide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acrylamide;     -   2-Benzyloxy-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acetamide;     -   2-Phenylsulfanyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acetamide;     -   N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-succinamic         acid ethyl ester;     -   2-Chloro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Di-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Methoxy-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3,5-Di-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,5-Dimethoxy-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-acetamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-acetoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-acetyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,6-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzylamine,         HCl salt;     -   N-[4-(5-Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-(2,3-difluoro-benzoyl)-2,3-difluoro-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(6-Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-N-(2,3-difluoro-benzoyl)-2,3-difluoro-benzamide;     -   2-Methyl-N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Methyl-N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   2-Methyl-3-fluoro-N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Cyano-N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Nitro-N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,6-Difluoro-3-iodo-N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Chloro-N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)-phenyl]-cyclohexanecarboxylic         acid amide;     -   2-Methyl-N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Fluoro-N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   2-Methyl-3-fluoro-N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Cyano-N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Nitro-N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,6-Difluoro-3-iodo-N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Chloro-N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-cyclohexanecarboxylic         acid amide;     -   2-Methyl-N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Fluoro-N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide;     -   2-Methyl-3-fluoro-N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   3-Cyano-N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Nitro-N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2,6-Difluoro-3-iodo-N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   2-Chloro-N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide;     -   N-[4-(5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-cyclohexanecarboxylic         acid amide; and     -   pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, clathrates, or         prodrugs thereof.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to compounds selected from the group consisting of:

-   -   2,6-Difluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-acetamide;     -   Butyl-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amine;     -   4-Cyano-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-butyramide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2-methyl-butyramide;     -   Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid         [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide;     -   4-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   4-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid         [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide;     -   2-Chloro-6-fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   2,3-Dichloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   2,4-Dichloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   4-Chloro-2-fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   2-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   3-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   2-Bromo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   3-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   4-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   3-Cyano-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-nitro-benzamide;     -   2-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   3-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   2-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   Butyl-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amine;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-methyl-butyramide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-nitro-benzamide;     -   3-Bromo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-isophthalamic         acid methyl ester;     -   Cyclopentanecarboxylic acid         [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide;     -   3-Methyl-isothiazole-4-carboxylic acid         [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide;     -   4-Bromo-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid         [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide;     -   4-Bromo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   2-Nitro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-methyl-benzamide;     -   4-Butyl-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2,4-dimethyl-benzamide;     -   3-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-isonicotinamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2,3-dimethyl-benzamide;     -   4-Dimethylamino-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   3-Methoxy-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   [1,2,3]Thiadiazole-4-carboxylic acid         [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide;     -   2-Methoxy-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-propyl-benzamide;     -   3-Dimethylamino-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-methylsulfanyl-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-methylsulfanyl-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-methyl-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-methylaminomethyl-benzamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl-propionamide;     -   N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-isobutyramide;     -   4-Ethyl-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide;     -   1H-Imidazole-2-carboxylic acid         [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide;         and     -   pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, clathrates, or         prodrugs thereof.

Particular compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI) include those embodiments below.

-   -   In one embodiment, ring A is an optionally substituted phenyl.     -   In another embodiment, ring A is an optionally substituted         pyridyl.     -   In another embodiment, ring A is an optionally substituted         thienyl.     -   In another embodiment, ring A is an optionally substituted         furanyl.     -   In another embodiment, ring A is an optionally substituted         pyrrolyl.     -   In one embodiment, A is —CH═CH—, —CH═N—, or —N═CH—.     -   In another embodiment, A is —NH—, —O—, or —S(O)_(p)—.     -   In one embodiment, L or L₁ is a linker selected from the group         consisting of —NR₃CR₄R₅—, —CR₄R₅NR₃—, —C(O)—, —NR₃—C(O)—,         —C(O)—NR₃—, —C(S)—, —NR₃—C(S)—, —C(S)—NR₃—, —NR₃C(O)NR₃—,         —NR₃C(S)NR₃—, —S(O)₂NR₃—, —NR₃S(O)₂—, —NR₃CR₄R₅NR₃—, —CR₄═CR₅—,         or —NR₃—N═CR₄—; wherein R₃, R₄ and R₅ are defined as above.         Preferably, in this embodiment, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each,         independently, H or a lower alkyl.     -   In one embodiment, L or L₁ is —NR₃CR₄R₅—, —CR₄R₅NR₃—,         —NR₃—C(O)—, or —C(O)—NR₃—; wherein R₃, R₄ and R₅ are defined as         above. Preferably, in this embodiment, R₃, R₄, and R₅ are each,         independently, H or a lower alkyl.     -   In one embodiment, L or L₁ is a linker selected from the group         consisting of —C(O)—, —NR—C(O)—, —C(O)—NR—, C(S)—, —NR—C(S)—,         —C(S)—NR—(e.g., —NH—C(O)— or —C(O)—NH—).     -   In another embodiment, L or L₁ is —NHC(O)— or —NHCH₂—.     -   In another embodiment, L or L₁ is —NHC(O)—, —NHC(S)NH—,         —NHC(O)NH—, —CH═C(CN)—, or —NHS(O)₂—.     -   In one embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted 5 or 6         membered aryl, an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered         heteroaryl, or an optionally substituted 5 or 6 membered         cycloalkyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is selected from the group         consisting of an alkyl, an optionally subsistituted alkenyl, an         optionally substituted phenyl, an optionally substituted         pyridyl, an optionally substituted furanyl, an optionally         substituted thienyl, an optionally substituted cyclopentyl, an         optionally substituted cyclohexyl, an optionally substituted         naphthyl, an optionally substituted benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, and an         optionally substituted [1,2,3]thiadiazolyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted         phenyl or an optionally substituted [1,2,3]thiadiazolyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted         phenyl, an optionally substituted pyridyl, an optionally         substituted thiophenyl, [1,2,3]thiadiazolyl, an optionally         substituted furanyl, an optionally substituted         benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, an optionally substituted naphthyl, an         optionally substituted cyclopentyl, an optionally substituted         cyclohexyl, or isobutyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted         phenyl, an optionally substituted pyridyl, an optionally         substituted cyclopentyl, an optionally substituted cyclohexyl,         or isobutyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,         isobutyl, propyl, t-butyl, or 2,2-dimethylpropyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is optionally substituted aryl or         optionally substituted heteroaryl (e.g., phenyl, pyridyl,         thiophenyl, [1,2,3]thiadiazolyl, furanyl, benzo[1,3]dioxolyl, or         naphthyl), any of which may be optionally substituted with 1-3         (e.g., 1-2) substituents independently selected from halo (e.g.,         F, Cl, Br, and I), lower alkyl (e.g., methyl and ethyl), lower         haloalkyl (e.g., CF₃), nitro, lower haloalkoxy, amino, phenyl,         cyano, or lower alkoxy.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is a phenyl which is optionally         substituted with 1 to 5 substituents which are independently         selected from the group consisting of a halo, lower alkyl, a         lower haloalkyl, a lower haloalkoxy, cyano, or nitro.     -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted         aryl. For example Y or Y₂ is selected from the group consisting         of:

-   -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted         pyridyl. For example Y or Y₂ is selected from the group         consisting of:

-   -   In another embodiment, Y or Y₂ is an optionally substituted         5-membered heteroaryl. For example Y or Y₂ is selected from the         group consisting of:

-   -   In one embodiment, Y₁ is an optionally substituted alkyl         selected from the group consisting of propyl, 1-ethyl-pentyl,         hexyl, isobutyl, phenylsulfanylmethyl, and         O-ethyl-2-carboxyethyl, benzyloxymethyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y₁ is p-methoxybenzyl, benzyl, or         m,p-dimethoxybenzyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is an optionally substituted aryl or         an optionally substituted heteroaryl.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is selected from the group consisting         of an optionally substituted phenyl, an optionally substituted         naphthyl, an optionally substituted pyridyl, an optionally         substituted furyl, an optionally substituted thienyl, an         optionally substituted pyrrolyl, an optionally substituted         oxazolyl, an optionally substituted imidazolyl, an optionally         substituted indolizinyl, an optionally substituted thiazolyl, an         optionally substituted isoxazolyl, an optionally substituted         pyrazolyl, an optionally substituted isothiazolyl, an optionally         substituted pyridazinyl, an optionally substituted pyrimidinyl,         an optionally substituted pyrazinyl, an optionally substituted         triazinyl, an optionally substituted triazolyl, an optionally         substituted thiadiazolyl, an optionally substituted pyrazinyl,         an optionally substituted quinolinyl, an optionally substituted         isoquniolinyl, an optionally substituted indazolyl, an         optionally substituted benzoxazolyl, an optionally substituted         benzofuryl, an optionally substituted benzothiazolyl, an         optionally substituted indolizinyl, an optionally substituted         imidazopyridinyl, an optionally substituted isothiazolyl, an         optionally substituted tetrazolyl, an optionally substituted         benzoxazolyl, an optionally substituted benzothiazolyl, an         optionally substituted benzothiadiazolyl, an optionally         substituted benzoxadiazolyl, an optionally substituted indolyl,         an optionally substituted tetrahydroindolyl, an optionally         substituted azaindolyl, an optionally substituted         imidazopyridyl, an optionally substituted quinazolinyl, an         optionally substituted purinyl, an optionally substituted         pyrrolo[2,3]pyrimidyl, an optionally substituted         pyridopyrimidyl, an optionally substituted         pyrazolo[3,4]pyrimidyl or an optionally substituted         benzo(b)thienyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is an optionally substituted phenyl,         an optionally substituted pyridinyl, or an optionally         substituted [1,2,3]thiadiazolyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is optionally substituted with one or         more substituents selected from the group consisting of halo,         lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, —OR, —NR₁₁R₁₂,         —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)OR₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —OC(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₂,         —OC(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)OR₁₂, —NR₁₃C(NR₁₀)NR₁₁R₁₂,         —NR₁₃C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —S(O)_(p)R₁₁, —S(O)_(h)NR₁₁R₁₂,         —NR₁₁S(O)_(h)R₁₂, or —OP(O)(OR₁₁)₂; wherein R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃ are         each, independently, H or a lower alkyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is selected from the group consisting         of:

-   -   wherein:     -   X₆ is CH or N;     -   R₁₄ is H, a halo, a lower alkyl, a lower haloalkyl, a lower         alkoxy, or a lower haloalkoxy; and     -   R₁₅ is a halo, a lower alkyl, a lower haloalkyl, a lower alkoxy,         or a lower haloalkoxy.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is an optionally substituted alkyl or         an optionally substituted cycloalkyl.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is selected from the group consisting         of methyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl,         n-pentyl, isopentyl, 2-methyl-butyl, n-hexyl, 2-methyl-pentyl,         3-methyl-pentyl, 4-methyl-pentyl, 2-ethyl-butyl, 3-ethyl-butyl,         cyclooctyl, cycloheptyl, cyclolhexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclobutyl,         cyclopropyl, each of which can be optionally substituted with         one or more substituent selected from the group consisting of a         halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, —OR₁₁,         —NR₁₁R₁₂, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)OR₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —OC(O)R₁₁,         —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₂, —OC(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)OR₁₂, —OC(O)OR₁₁,         —NR₁₁C(NR₁₆)NR₁₂R₁₃, —NR₁₁C(O)NR₁₂R₁₃, —S(O)_(p)R₁₁,         —S(O)_(h)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁S(O)_(h)R₁₂, and —OP(O)(OR₁₁)₂; wherein         R₁₁, R₁₂, R₁₃, R₁₆, h, and p are defined as above.     -   In another embodiment, Y₂ is an unsubstituted lower alkyl or a         3- to 6-membered, unsubstituted cycloalkyl.     -   In one embodiment, X is a benzoimidazolyl, a         5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizinyl, an imidazo[4,5-a]pyridyl, an         imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl, an imidazo[4,5-b]pyridyl, or an         imidazo[4,5-c]pyridyl, each of which may be optionally         substituted with one to four substituents selected from the         group consisting of lower alkoxy, lower haloalkyl, lower         haloalkoxy, cyano, halo, amino, hydroxyl, lower alkylsulfanyl,         lower alkylsulfinyl, lower alkysulfonyl, 5-t-butyloxazolyl,         —NHC(O)-(lower alkyl), —C(O)NH₂, —C(O)NH-(lower alkyl),         —C(O)O-(lower alkyl), —C(O)OH, and —OC(O)-(lower alkyl).     -   In another embodiment, X is an optionally substituted         benzoimidazolyl. For example, X is selected from the group         consisting of:

-   -   In another embodiment, X is an optionally substituted         5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizinyl. For example, X is selected from         the group consisting of:

-   -   In another embodiment, X is an optionally substituted         imidazopyridyl, such as an optionally substituted         imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl (e.g.,         2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl), or an optionally         substituted imidazo[4,5-b]pyridyl (e.g.,         2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5-b]pyrid-3-yl), or an optionally         substituted imidazo[4,5-c]pyridyl (e.g.,         2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5-c]pyrid-1-yl).     -   In one embodiment, Z is independently selected from the group         consisting of a lower alkyl (e.g., CH₃), a lower haloalkyl         (e.g., CF₃), cyano, and halo (e.g., F and Cl).     -   In one embodiment, n or u is 0 and Z is absent.     -   In another embodiment, n or u is one. Preferably, in this         embodiment, Z is selected from the group consisting of a lower         alkyl, a lower haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₂, halo,         —OR₁₁, cyano, nitro, a lower haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₂,         —C(O)OR₁₁, —OC(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₃C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —OC(O)NR₁₁R₁₂,         —NR₁₁C(O)OR₁₂, —S(O)_(p)R₁₁, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁₁R₁₂; wherein R₁₁,         R₁₂, R₁₃, h and p are defined as above.     -   In one embodiment, R, for each occurrence, is independently         selected from —H, acetyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl, benzyloxycarbonyl         (e.g., —H).     -   In one embodiment, R₆, for each occurrence, is, independently,         selected from the group consisting of lower alkoxy, lower         haloalkoxy, cyano, —NH₂, lower alkyl, —OH, lower haloalkyl,         —S(O)₂-(lower alkyl), —NHC(O)-(lower alkyl), —C(O)O-(lower         alkyl), —C(O)NH₂, and —C(O)-(lower alkyl).     -   In another embodiment, R₆ is —OCH₃, —CF₃, —C(O)OCH₃, —OH,         —OCH(CH₃)₂, —C(O)NH₂, —OC(O)CH₃, —C(O)CH₃, or —NH₂.     -   In one embodiment, R₇ is selected from the group consisting of         halo, lower haloalkyl, lower haloalkoxy, —S-(lower alkyl), and         —S(O)-(lower alkyl).     -   In another embodiment, R₇ is —CF₃, —OCF₃, —OCHF₂, —SCH₃, —Cl, or         —Br.     -   In one embodiment, R₈, for each occurrence, is, independently,         selected from the group consisting of halo, lower alkyl, nitro,         —NH₂, —NHC(O)OC(CH₃)₃, phenyl, cyano, lower haloalkyl, and         —OCH₃.     -   In another embodiment, R₈, for each occurrence, is,         independently, a halo, cyano or nitro.     -   In another embodiment, m is 0.     -   In another embodiment, m is 1. Preferably, in this embodiment,         R₉, for each occurrence, is independently, selected from the         group consisting of a halo, nitro, cyano, a haloalkyl, —OR₃,         —SR₃, —NR₁R₂, an optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally         substituted alkenyl, an optionally substituted alkynyl, an         optionally substituted cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkenyl, an optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an         optionally substituted aryl, an optionally substituted         heteroaryl, an optionally substituted aralkyl, an optionally         substituted heteraralkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₃, —C(O)OR₃,         —C(O)SR₃, —C(S)NR₁R₂, —C(S)R₃, —C(S)OR₃, —C(S)SR₃,         —C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —C(NR₁₆)R₃, —C(NR₁₆)OR₃, —C(NR₁₆)SR₃,         —S(O)_(h)R₃, —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂, —P(O)(OR₃)₂, —P(S)(OR₃)₂,         —P(O)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(S)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(O)(SR₃)₂, —P(S)(SR₃)₂,         —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)R₃, —OC(O)OR₃, —OC(O)SR₃, —NR₃C(O)NR₁R₂,         —NR₃C(O)R₄, —NR₃C(O)OR₄, —NR₃C(O)SR₄, —SC(O)NR₁R₂, —SC(O)R₃,         —SC(O)OR₃, —SC(O)SR₃, —OC(S)NR₁R₂, —OC(S)R₃, —OC(S)OR₃,         —OC(S)SR₃, —NR₃C(S)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(S)R₄, —NR₃C(S)OR₄, —NR₃C(S)SR₄,         —SC(S)NR₁R₂, —SC(S)R₃, —SC(S)OR₃, —SC(S)SR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂,         —OC(NR₁₆)R₃, —OC(NR₁₆)OR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)SR₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂,         —NR₃C(NR₁₆)R₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)OR₄, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)SR₄, —OS(O)_(h)R₃,         —NR₃S(O)_(h)R₄, —OP(O)(OR₃)₂, and —OP(S)(OR₃)₂; wherein R₁, R₂,         R₃, R₄, R₅, R₁₆, and h are defined as above. More preferably, in         this embodiment, R₉ is —OCH₃.     -   In another embodiment, R₉, for each occurrence, is         independently, selected from the group consisting of a halo,         nitro, cyano, a haloalkyl, —OR₃, —SR₃, —NR₁R₂, an optionally         substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl, an         optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, an optionally substituted heteraralkyl,         —C(O)NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₃, —C(O)OR₃, —C(O)SR₃, —C(S)NR₁R₂, —C(S)R₃,         —C(S)OR₃, —C(S)SR₃, —C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —C(NR₁₆)R₃, —C(NR₁₆)OR₃,         —C(NR₁₆)SR₃, —S(O)_(h)R₃, —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂, —P(O)(OR₃)₂,         —P(S)(OR₃)₂, —P(O)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(S)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(O)(SR₃)₂,         —P(S)(SR₃)₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)R₃, —OC(O)OR₃, —OC(O)SR₃,         —NR₃C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(O)R₄, —NR₃C(O)OR₄, —NR₃C(O)SR₄,         —SC(O)NR₁R₂, —SC(O)R₃, —SC(O)OR₃, —SC(O)SR₃, —OC(S)NR₁R₂,         —OC(S)R₃, —OC(S)OR₃, —OC(S)SR₃, —NR₃C(S)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(S)R₄,         —NR₃C(S)OR₄, —NR₃C(S)SR₄, —SC(S)NR₁R₂, —SC(S)R₃, —SC(S)OR₃,         —SC(S)SR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —OC(NR₁₆)R₃, —OC(NR₁₆)OR₃,         —OC(NR₁₆)SR₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)R₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)OR₄,         —NR₃C(NR₁₆)SR₄, —OS(O)_(h)R₃, —NR₃S(O)_(h)R₄, —OP(O)(OR₃)₂, and         —OP(S)(OR₃)₂; and R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of         H, a halo, nitro, cyano, a haloalkyl, —OR₃, —SR₃, —NR₁R₂, an         optionally substituted alkyl, an optionally substituted alkenyl,         an optionally substituted alkynyl, an optionally substituted         cycloalkyl, an optionally substituted cycloalkenyl, an         optionally substituted heterocyclyl, an optionally substituted         aryl, an optionally substituted heteroaryl, an optionally         substituted aralkyl, an optionally substituted heteraralkyl,         —C(O)NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₃, —C(O)OR₃, —C(O)SR₃, —C(S)NR₁R₂, —C(S)R₃,         —C(S)OR₃, —C(S)SR₃, —C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —C(NR₁₆)R₃, —C(NR₁₆)OR₃,         —C(NR₁₆)SR₃, —S(O)_(h)R₃, —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂, —P(O)(OR₃)₂,         —P(S)(OR₃)₂, —P(O)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(S)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(O)(SR₃)₂,         —P(S)(SR₃)₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)R₃, —OC(O)OR₃, —OC(O)SR₃,         —NR₃C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(O)R₄, —NR₃C(O)OR₄, —NR₃C(O)SR₄,         —SC(O)NR₁R₂, —SC(O)R₃, —SC(O)OR₃, —SC(O)SR₃, —OC(S)NR₁R₂,         —OC(S)R₃, —OC(S)OR₃, —OC(S)SR₃, —NR₃C(S)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(S)R₄,         —NR₃C(S)OR₄, —NR₃C(S)SR₄, —SC(S)NR₁R₂, —SC(S)R₃, —SC(S)OR₃,         —SC(S)SR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —OC(NR₁₆)R₃, —OC(NR₁₆)OR₃,         —OC(NR₁₆)SR₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)R₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)OR₄,         —NR₃C(NR₁₆)SR₄, —OS(O)_(h)R₃, —NR₃S(O)_(h)R₄, —OP(O)(OR₃)₂, and         —OP(S)(OR₃)₂; wherein R₁, R₂, R₃, R₄, R₅, R₁₆, and h are defined         as above. Preferably, in this embodiment, m is 1, R₉ is —OCH₃,         and R₁₀ is —CH₃ or —CF₃.

Listed above are embodiments for substituents for the compounds represented by formulas (I) through (XVI). The substituents used for compounds of formulas (I) through (XVI) or any of the specific compound shown in Table 1 can be used in any combination that results in the formation of a stable compound. All such combinations are expressly encompassed in this invention.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions that comprise a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, as an active ingredient, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or vehicle. The compositions are useful for immunosuppression or to treat or prevent inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders, and immune disorders.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for immunosuppression or for treating or preventing inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders, or immune disorders in a patient in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a compound represented by any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof.

In another embodiment, the invention relates to methods for immunosuppression or for treating or preventing inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders, or immune disorders in a patient in need thereof comprising administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition that comprises a compound represented by any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof.

In another embodiment, compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, are particularly useful inhibiting immune cell (e.g., T-cells and/or B-cells) activation (e.g., activation in response to an antigen) and/or T cell and/or B cell proliferation. Indicators of immune cell activation include secretion of IL-2 by T cells, proliferation of T cells and/or B cells, and the like. In one embodiment, a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, inhibits immune cell activation and/or T cell and/or B cell proliferation in a mammal (e.g., a human).

In another embodiment, compounds of any one of formula (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, can inhibit the production of certain cytokines that regulate immune cell activation. For example, compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, can inhibit the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, TNF-α and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, inhibit the production of IL-2. In one embodiment, a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, inhibits cytokine production in a mammal (e.g., a human).

In another embodiment, compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, can modulate the activity, either directly or indirectly, of one or more ion channel involved in activation of immune cells, such as CRAC ion channels. In one embodiment, a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, can inhibit the influx of calcium ions into an immune cell (e.g., T cells, mast cells and/or B cells) by inhibiting the action of CRAC ion channels. In general, a decrease in I_(CRAC) current upon contacting a cell with a compound is one indicator that the compound inhibitions CRAC ion channels. I_(CRAC) current can be measured, for example, using a patch clamp technique, which is described in more detail in the examples below.

Exemplary Compounds of the Invention

Exemplary compounds of the invention are depicted in Table 1 below.

Compound No. Structure Chemical Name 1

2,3,6-Trifluoro-N-[4-(2- trifiuoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 2

2,3,5-Trifluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 3

2,3,4-Trifluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 4

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 5

3-Methyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- isonicotinamide 6

3-Fluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-isonicotinamide 7

2,4-Dichloro-5-fluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 8

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8- tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 9

2,4-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 10

3-Nitro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 11

2,3-Difiuoro-N-[4-(2- methylsulfanyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 12

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-thiobenzamide 13

2,3-Dichloro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 14

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-6-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 15

2-Fluoro-2-chloro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 16

2,3,6-Trifluoro-5-amino-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 17

2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-methyl-4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 18

2-Methyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8- tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 19

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8- tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 20

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-6-cyano- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 21

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-4-amino- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 22

N-(3-{N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- carbamoyl}-2,4,5-trifluoro- phenyl)-carbamic acid t-butyl ester 23

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-chloro- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 24

4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5- carboxylic acid {N-[4-(2-chloro- 5,6,78-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl}amide 25

2,3-Difluoro-N-[2-.chloro-4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 26

2,5-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 27

3-Fluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- isonicotinamide 28

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-bromo- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 29

4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5- carboxylic acid {N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl[}amide 30

2,3-Difluoro-N-[3- trifluoromethyl-4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 31

N-(4-{N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- carbamoyl}-2,3-difluoro- phenyl)-carbamic acid t-butyl ester 32

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5,6-dimethoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 33

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-iodo- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 34

N′-[2-(2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyrid-5-yl]- N-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-thiourea 35

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-tert-butyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 36

2,3-Difluoro-N-[2-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyrid-3-yl]-benzamide 37

2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-cyano-4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 38

2,5-Difluoro-N-[3-chloro-4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 39

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-amino- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 40

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- methanesulfinyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)phenyl]benzamide 41

2,5-Difiuoro-N-[2-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyrid-5-yl]-benzamide 42

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5,6-dimethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 43

2,3-Difluoro-4-amino-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 44

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifiuoromethyl-imidazo[4,5- b]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 45

N-[4-(2-trifiuoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- nicotinamide 46

N-(2,3-difluorophenyl )-4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-benzamide 47

1-(2,3-difluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-acrylonitrile 48

1-(2,5-difluoro-phenyl)-3-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-acrylonitrile 49

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-isopropyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 50

N′-[4-(2-trifluoromethy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-N- (2,5-difluoropheyl)-urea 51

1-Oxo-3-fluoro-N-[4-(2- trifiuoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-isonicotinamide 52

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4- (trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]- benzenesulfonamide 53

2,3-Difluoro-N-[3-acetylamino- 4-(2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 54

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4- (benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 55

2,3-Difluoro-N-[2-methyl-4-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 56

2,5-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5- b]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 57

2,3-Difluoro-N-{4-[2- trifluoromethyl-5-(1,3-dioxo- isoindol-2-yl)-benzoimidazol-1- yl]-phenyl}-benzamide 58

4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5- carboxylic acid {N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5- b]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]} amide 59

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-methyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 60

2,3-Difiuoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5,6-dihydroxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 61

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-imidazo[4,5- c]pyrid-1-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 62

4-Methyl-[1,2,3]thiadiazole-5- carboxylic acid {N-[2-(2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyrid-5-yl[} amide 63

2,4,6-Trichloro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 64

2,3-Difiuoro-N-{4-[2,5-di- (trifluoromethyl)-benzoimidazol- 1-yl]-phenyl}-benzamide 65

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5- methanesulfonyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 66

4-Butyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 67

2,5-Difiuoro-N-{4-[2- trifluoromethyl-5-(5-tert-butyl- oxazol-2-yl)-benzoimidazol-1- yl]-phenyl}-benzamide 68

2,3-Difluoro-N-{4-[2- trifluoromethyl-5-(5-tert-butyl- oxazol-2-yl)-benzoimidazol-1- yl]-phenyl}-benzamide 69

Furan-2-carboxylic acid (N-{4- [2-trifluoromethyl-5-(5-tert-butyl- oxazol-2-yl)-benzoimidazol-1- yl]-phenyl}) amide 70

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-imidazo[1,2- a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 71

2,3,4,5-Tetrafluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 72

4-Phenyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 73

4-iodo-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 74

Naphthalene-2-carboxylic acid {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]} amide 75

Benzo[1,3]dioxole-5-carboxylic acid {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]} amide 76

4-Methyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 77

4-Cyano-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 78

4-Nitro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 79

4-Ethyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 80

4-Trifluoromethyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 81

3,5-Dinitro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 82

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-butyramide 83

Naphthalene-1-carboxylic acid {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]} amide 84

3-Methyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- but-2-enoic acid amide 85

4-Propyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 86

Thiophene-2-carboxylic acid {N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]) amide 87

2-Ethyl-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-hexanoic acid amide 88

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-heptanoic acid amide 89

3-Methoxy-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 90

2-Phenyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- cyclopropanecarboxylic acid amide 91

3-Trifluoromethyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 92

2-(4-Methoxy-phenyl)-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- acetamide 93

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-6-acetylamino- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 94

2-(Thien-2-yl)-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- acetamide 95

2-phenyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- acetamide 96

2-Trifluoromethyl-1-[4-(2,3- difluoro-benzoylamimo)- phenyl]-1H-benzoimidazole-5- carboxylic acid methyl ester 97

2,3,4,5,6-Pentafluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 98

2,4-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 99

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-hydroxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 100

2,5-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 101

3-Cyano-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 102

2,6-Dichloro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 103

3,5-Dichloro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 104

2-Bromo-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 105

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-cyclopentanecarboxylic acid amide 106

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid amide 107

2-Nitro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl- 5-methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 108

4-Chloro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 109

3-Chloro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 110

3,4-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 111

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 112

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-isopropoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 113

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-carbamoyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 114

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-isonicotinamide 115

2-Iodo-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 116

3-Methyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyt]- butyramide 117

3,5-Dichioro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 118

3-Bromo-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 119

4-Bromo-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 120

Furan-2-carboxylic acid {N-[4- (2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]}- amide 121

1-(2,2,2-Trifluoroacetyl)-N-[4- (2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- pyrroiidine-2-carboxylic acid amide 122

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-acrylamide 123

2-Benzyloxy-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- acetamide 124

2-Phenylsulfanyl-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- acetamide 125

N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-succinamic acid ethyl ester 126

2-Chloro-N-(4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 127

2,5-Di-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 128

2-Methoxy-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 129

3,5-Di-(trifluoromethyl)-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 130

2,5-Dimethoxy-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 131

2-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-N-[4- (2-trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- acetamide 132

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-acetoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 133

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-acetyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 134

2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-amino- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 135

2,6-Difluoro-N-[4-(2- trifluoromethyl-5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzylamine, HCl salt 136

Isomeric mixture of N-[4-(5- Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-N- (2,3-difluoro-benzoyl)-2,3- difluoro-benzamide & N-[4-(6- Chloro-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]-N- (2,3-difluoro-benzoyl)-2,3- difluoro-benzamide 137

2-Methyl-N-[4-(7-methoxy- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 138

3-Methyl-N-[4-(7-methoxy- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-isonicotinamide 139

2-Methyl-3-fluoro-N-[4-(7- methoxy-5,6,7,8- tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 140

3-Cyano-N-[4-(7-methoxy- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 141

2-Nitro-N-[4-(7-methoxy- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 142

2,6-Difluoro-3-iodo-N-[4-(7- methoxy-5,6,7,8- tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 143

2-Chloro-N-[4-(7-methoxy- 5,6,7,8-tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 144

N-[4-(7-methoxy-5,6,7,8- tetrahydroindolizin-3-yl)- phenyl]-cyclohexanecarboxylic acid amide 145

2-Methyl-N-[4-(7-methoxy- imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 146

3-Fluoro-N-[4-(7-methoxy- imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)- phenyl]-isonicotinamide 147

2-Methyl-3-fluoro-N-[4-(7- methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3- yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 148

3-Cyano-N-[4-(7-methoxy- imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 149

3-Nitro-N-[4-(7-methoxy- imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 150

2,6-Difluoro-3-iodo-N-[4-(7- methoxy-imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3- yl)-phenyl]-benzamide 151

2-Chloro-N-[4-(7-methoxy- imidazo[1,2-a]pyrid-3-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 152

N-[4-(7-methoxy-imidazo[1,2- a]pyrid-3-yl)-phenyl]- cyclohexanecarboxylic acid amide 153

2-Methyl-N-14-(5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 154

2-Fluoro-N-[4-(5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- isonicotinamide 156

2-Methyl-3-fluoro-N-[4-(5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 157

3-Cyano-N-[4-(5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 158

2-Nitro-N-[4-(5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 159

2,6-Difluoro-3-iodo-N-[4-(5- methoxy-benzoimidazol-1-yl)- phenyl]-benzamide 160

2-Chloro-N-[4-(5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- benzamide 161

N-[4-(5-methoxy- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-phenyl]- cyclohexanecarboxylic acid amide 162

Ethyl-[6-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-amine 163

2,6-Difluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 164

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-acetamide 165

Butyl[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amine 166

4-Cyano-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 167

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-butyramide 168

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2-methyl- butyramide 169

Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid [5- (5-methox-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-amide 170

4-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 171

4-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 172

Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-amide 173

2-Chloro-6-fluoro-N-[5-(5- methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-benzamide 174

2,3-Dichloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy- 2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-benzamide 175

176

2,4-Dichloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy- 2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-benzamide 177

4-Chloro-2-fluoro-N-[5-(5- methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-benzamide 178

2-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 179

3-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 180

2-Bromo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 181

3-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 182

4-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 183

3-Cyano-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 184

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-nitro- benzamide 185

2-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 186

3-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 187

2-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 188

Butyl-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amine 189

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-methyl- butyramide 190

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-nitro- benzamide 191

3-Bromo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 192

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-isophthalamic acid methyl ester 193

Cyclopentanecarboxylic acid [5- (5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-amide 194

3-Methyl-isothiazole-4- carboxylic acid [5-(5-methoxy- 2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-amide 195

4-Bromo-thiazole-5-carboxylic acid [5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide 196

4-Bromo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 197

2-Nitro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 198

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-methyl- benzamide 199

4-Butyl-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 200

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2,4-dimethyl- benzamide 201

3-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]- isonicotinamide 202

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2,3-dimethyl- benzamide 203

4-Dimethylamino-N-[5-(5- methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-benzamide 204

3-Methoxy-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 205

[1,2,3]Thiadiazole-4-carboxylic acid [5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide 206

2-Methoxy-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 207

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-propyl- benzamide 208

3-Dimethylamino-N-[5-(5- methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-benzamide 209

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3- methylsulfanyl-benzamide 210

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4- methylsulfanyl-benzamide 211

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4-methyl- benzamide 212

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-4- methylaminomethyl-benzamide 213

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2,2-dimethyl- propionamide 214

N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-isobutyramide 215

4-Ethyl-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2- trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol- 1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide 216

1H-Imidazole-2-carboxylic acid [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl- benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2- yl]-amide Mechanism of Action

Activation of T-lymphocytes in response to an antigen is dependent on calcium ion oscillations. Calcium ion oscillations in T-lymphocytes are triggered through stimulation of the T-cell antigen receptor, and involve calcium ion influx through the stored-operated Ca²⁺-release-activated Ca²⁺ (CRAC) channel. Although the molecular structure of the CRAC ion channel has not been identified, a detailed electrophysiological profile of the channel exist. Thus, inhibition of CRAC ion channels can be measured by measuring inhibition of the I_(CRAC) current. Calcium ion oscillations in T-cells have been implicated in the activation of several transcription factors (e.g., NFAT, Oct/Oap and NFκB) which are critical for T-cell activation (Lewis, Biochemical Society Transactions (2003), 31:925-929, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). Certain compounds of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or compounds shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, inhibit the activity of CRAC ion channels, either directly or indirectly, and therefore, inhibit immune cell activation.

Methods of Treatment and Prevention

In accordance with the invention, an effective amount of a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, is administered to a patient in need of immunosuppression or in need of treatment or prevention of an inflammatory condition or immune disorder. Such patients may be treatment naïve or may experience partial or no response to conventional therapies.

Responsiveness of a particular inflammatory condition, an allergic disorder or immune disorder in a subject can be measured directly (e.g., measuring blood levels of inflammatory cytokines (such as IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF-α, IFN-γ and the like) after administration of a compound or formulation of this invention), or can be inferred based on an understanding of disease etiology and progression. A compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, can be assayed in vitro or in vivo, for the desired therapeutic or prophylactic activity, prior to use in humans. For example, known animal models of inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders, or immune disorders can be used to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of compounds of this invention.

Pharmaceutical Compositions and Dosage Forms

Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention comprise one or more active ingredients in relative amounts and formulated in such a way that a given pharmaceutical composition or dosage form can be used for immunosuppression or to treat or prevent inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders and immune disorders. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprise a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, optionally in combination with one or more additional active agents.

Single unit dosage forms of the invention are suitable for oral, mucosal (e.g., nasal, sublingual, vaginal, buccal, or rectal), parenteral (e.g., subcutaneous, intravenous, bolus injection, intramuscular, or intraarterial), or transdermal administration to a patient. Examples of dosage forms include, but are not limited to: tablets; caplets; capsules, such as soft elastic gelatin capsules; cachets; troches; lozenges; dispersions; suppositories; ointments; cataplasms (poultices); pastes; powders; dressings; creams; plasters; solutions; patches; aerosols (e.g., nasal sprays or inhalers); gels; liquid dosage forms suitable for oral or mucosal administration to a patient, including suspensions (e.g., aqueous or non-aqueous liquid suspensions, oil-in-water emulsions, or a water-in-oil liquid emulsions), solutions, and elixirs; liquid dosage forms suitable for parenteral administration to a patient; and sterile solids (e.g., crystalline or amorphous solids) that can be reconstituted to provide liquid dosage forms suitable for parenteral administration to a patient.

The composition, shape, and type of dosage forms of the invention will typically vary depending on their use. For example, a dosage form suitable for mucosal administration may contain a smaller amount of active ingredient(s) than an oral dosage form used to treat the same indication. This aspect of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1990) 18th ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa.

Typical pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprise one or more excipients. Suitable excipients are well known to those skilled in the art of pharmacy, and non-limiting examples of suitable excipients are provided herein. Whether a particular excipient is suitable for incorporation into a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form depends on a variety of factors well known in the art including, but not limited to, the way in which the dosage form will be administered to a patient. For example, oral dosage forms such as tablets may contain excipients not suited for use in parenteral dosage forms.

The suitability of a particular excipient may also depend on the specific active ingredients in the dosage form. For example, the decomposition of some active ingredients can be accelerated by some excipients such as lactose, or when exposed to water. Active ingredients that comprise primary or secondary amines are particularly susceptible to such accelerated decomposition. Consequently, this invention encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that contain little, if any, lactose. As used herein, the term “lactose-free” means that the amount of lactose present, if any, is insufficient to substantially increase the degradation rate of an active ingredient. Lactose-free compositions of the invention can comprise excipients that are well known in the art and are listed, for example, in the U.S. Pharmocopia (USP) SP (XXI)/NF (XVI). In general, lactose-free compositions comprise active ingredients, a binder/filler, and a lubricant in pharmaceutically compatible and pharmaceutically acceptable amounts. Preferred lactose-free dosage forms comprise active ingredients, microcrystalline cellulose, pre-gelatinized starch, and magnesium stearate.

This invention further encompasses anhydrous pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms comprising active ingredients, since water can facilitate the degradation of some compounds. For example, the addition of water (e.g., 5%) is widely accepted in the pharmaceutical arts as a means of simulating long-term storage in order to determine characteristics such as shelf-life or the stability of formulations over time. See, e.g., Jens T. Carstensen (1995) Drug Stability: Principles & Practice, 2d. Ed., Marcel Dekker, NY, N.Y., 379-80. In effect, water and heat accelerate the decomposition of some compounds. Thus, the effect of water on a formulation can be of great significance since moisture and/or humidity are commonly encountered during manufacture, handling, packaging, storage, shipment, and use of formulations.

Anhydrous pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention can be prepared using anhydrous or low moisture containing ingredients and low moisture or low humidity conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that comprise lactose and at least one active ingredient that comprises a primary or secondary amine are preferably anhydrous if substantial contact with moisture and/or humidity during manufacturing, packaging, and/or storage is expected.

An anhydrous pharmaceutical composition should be prepared and stored such that its anhydrous nature is maintained. Accordingly, anhydrous compositions are preferably packaged using materials known to prevent exposure to water such that they can be included in suitable formulary kits. Examples of suitable packaging include, but are not limited to, hermetically sealed foils, plastics, unit dose containers (e.g., vials), blister packs, and strip packs.

The invention further encompasses pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms that comprise one or more compounds that reduce the rate by which an active ingredient will decompose. Such compounds, which are referred to herein as “stabilizer” include, but are not limited to, antioxidants such as ascorbic acid, pH buffers, or salt buffers.

Like the amounts and types of excipients, the amounts and specific types of active ingredients in a dosage form may differ depending on factors such as, but not limited to, the route by which it is to be administered to patients. However, typical dosage forms of the invention comprise a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, in an amount of from about 1 mg to about 1000 mg, preferably in an amount of from about 50 mg to about 500 mg, and most preferably in an amount of from about 75 mg to about 350 mg. The typical total daily dosage of a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, can range from about 1 mg to about 5000 mg per day, preferably in an amount from about 50 mg to about 1500 mg per day, more preferably from about 75 mg to about 1000 mg per day. It is within the skill of the art to determine the appropriate dose and dosage form for a given patient.

Oral Dosage Forms

Pharmaceutical compositions of the invention that are suitable for oral administration can be presented as discrete dosage forms, such as, but are not limited to, tablets (e.g., chewable tablets), caplets, capsules, and liquids (e.g., flavored syrups). Such dosage forms contain predetermined amounts of active ingredients, and may be prepared by methods of pharmacy well known to those skilled in the art. See generally, Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1990) 18th ed., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa.

Typical oral dosage forms of the invention are prepared by combining the active ingredient(s) in an admixture with at least one excipient according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. Excipients can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. For example, excipients suitable for use in oral liquid or aerosol dosage forms include, but are not limited to, water, glycols, oils, alcohols, flavoring agents, preservatives, and coloring agents. Examples of excipients suitable for use in solid oral dosage forms (e.g., powders, tablets, capsules, and caplets) include, but are not limited to, starches, sugars, microcrystalline cellulose, diluents, granulating agents, lubricants, binders, and disintegrating agents.

Because of their ease of administration, tablets and capsules represent the most advantageous oral dosage unit forms, in which case solid excipients are employed. If desired, tablets can be coated by standard aqueous or nonaqueous techniques. Such dosage forms can be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy. In general, pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredients with liquid carriers, finely divided solid carriers, or both, and then shaping the product into the desired presentation if necessary.

For example, a tablet can be prepared by compression or molding. Compressed tablets can be prepared by compressing in a suitable machine the active ingredients in a free-flowing form such as powder or granules, optionally mixed with an excipient. Molded tablets can be made by molding in a suitable machine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inert liquid diluent.

Examples of excipients that can be used in oral dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, binders, fillers, disintegrants, and lubricants. Binders suitable for use in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms include, but are not limited to, corn starch, potato starch, or other starches, gelatin, natural and synthetic gums such as acacia, sodium alginate, alginic acid, other alginates, powdered tragacanth, guar gum, cellulose and its derivatives (e.g., ethyl cellulose, cellulose acetate, carboxymethyl cellulose calcium, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), polyvinyl pyrrolidone, methyl cellulose, pre-gelatinized starch, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, (e.g., Nos. 2208, 2906, 2910), microcrystalline cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable forms of microcrystalline cellulose include, but are not limited to, the materials sold as AVICEL-PH-101, AVICEL-PH-103 AVICEL RC-581, AVICEL-PH-105 (available from FMC Corporation, American Viscose Division, Avicel Sales, Marcus Hook, Pa.), and mixtures thereof. One specific binder is a mixture of microcrystalline cellulose and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose sold as AVICEL RC-581. Suitable anhydrous or low moisture excipients or additives include AVICEL-PH-103J and Starch 1500 LM.

Examples of fillers suitable for use in the pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms disclosed herein include, but are not limited to, talc, calcium carbonate (e.g., granules or powder), microcrystalline cellulose, powdered cellulose, dextrates, kaolin, mannitol, silicic acid, sorbitol, starch, pre-gelatinized starch, and mixtures thereof. The binder or filler in pharmaceutical compositions of the invention is typically present in from about 50 to about 99 weight percent of the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form.

Disintegrants are used in the compositions of the invention to provide tablets that disintegrate when exposed to an aqueous environment. Tablets that contain too much disintegrant may disintegrate in storage, while those that contain too little may not disintegrate at a desired rate or under the desired conditions. Thus, a sufficient amount of disintegrant that is neither too much nor too little to detrimentally alter the release of the active ingredients should be used to form solid oral dosage forms of the invention. The amount of disintegrant used varies based upon the type of formulation, and is readily discernible to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typical pharmaceutical compositions comprise from about 0.5 to about 15 weight percent of disintegrant, preferably from about 1 to about 5 weight percent of disintegrant.

Disintegrants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, agar-agar, alginic acid, calcium carbonate, microcrystalline cellulose, croscarmellose sodium, crospovidone, polacrilin potassium, sodium starch glycolate, potato or tapioca starch, other starches, pre-gelatinized starch, other starches, clays, other algins, other celluloses, gums, and mixtures thereof.

Lubricants that can be used in pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, calcium stearate, magnesium stearate, mineral oil, light mineral oil, glycerin, sorbitol, mannitol, polyethylene glycol, other glycols, stearic acid, sodium lauryl sulfate, talc, hydrogenated vegetable oil (e.g., peanut oil, cottonseed oil, sunflower oil, sesame oil, olive oil, corn oil, and soybean oil), zinc stearate, ethyl oleate, ethyl laureate, agar, and mixtures thereof. Additional lubricants include, for example, a syloid silica gel (AEROSIL 200, manufactured by W.R. Grace Co. of Baltimore, Md.), a coagulated aerosol of synthetic silica (marketed by Degussa Co. of Plano, Tex.), CAB-O-SIL (a pyrogenic silicon dioxide product sold by Cabot Co. of Boston, Mass.), and mixtures thereof. If used at all, lubricants are typically used in an amount of less than about 1 weight percent of the pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms into which they are incorporated.

Controlled Release Dosage Forms

Active ingredients of the invention can be administered by controlled release means or by delivery devices that are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,845,770; 3,916,899; 3,536,809; 3,598,123; and 4,008,719, 5,674,533, 5,059,595, 5,591,767, 5,120,548, 5,073,543, 5,639,476, 5,354,556, and 5,733,566, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Such dosage forms can be used to provide slow or controlled-release of one or more active ingredients using, for example, hydropropylmethyl cellulose, other polymer matrices, gels, permeable membranes, osmotic systems, multilayer coatings, microparticles, liposomes, microspheres, or a combination thereof to provide the desired release profile in varying proportions. Suitable controlled-release formulations known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including those described herein, can be readily selected for use with the active ingredients of the invention. The invention thus encompasses single unit dosage forms suitable for oral administration such as, but not limited to, tablets, capsules, gelcaps, and caplets that are adapted for controlled-release.

All controlled-release pharmaceutical products have a common goal of improving drug therapy over that achieved by their non-controlled counterparts. Ideally, the use of an optimally designed controlled-release preparation in medical treatment is characterized by a minimum of drug substance being employed to cure or control the condition in a minimum amount of time. Advantages of controlled-release formulations include extended activity of the drug, reduced dosage frequency, and increased patient compliance. In addition, controlled-release formulations can be used to affect the time of onset of action or other characteristics, such as blood levels of the drug, and can thus affect the occurrence of side (e.g., adverse) effects.

Most controlled-release formulations are designed to initially release an amount of drug (active ingredient) that promptly produces the desired therapeutic effect, and gradually and continually release of other amounts of drug to maintain this level of therapeutic or prophylactic effect over an extended period of time. In order to maintain this constant level of drug in the body, the drug must be released from the dosage form at a rate that will replace the amount of drug being metabolized and excreted from the body. Controlled-release of an active ingredient can be stimulated by various conditions including, but not limited to, pH, temperature, enzymes, water, or other physiological conditions or compounds.

A particular extended release formulation of this invention comprises a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI) or Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, hydrate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, in spheroids which further comprise microcrystalline cellulose and, optionally, hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose coated with a mixture of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose. Such extended release formulations can be prepared according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,274,171, the entirely of which is incorporated herein by reference.

A specific controlled-release formulation of this invention comprises from about 6% to about 40% a compound of any one of formulas (I) through (XVI), or a compound shown in Table 1, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate, clathrate, or prodrug thereof, by weight, about 50% to about 94% microcrystalline cellulose, NF, by weight, and optionally from about 0.25% to about 1% by weight of hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose, USP, wherein the spheroids are coated with a film coating composition comprised of ethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethylcellulose.

Parenteral Dosage Forms

Parenteral dosage forms can be administered to patients by various routes including, but not limited to, subcutaneous, intravenous (including bolus injection), intramuscular, and intraarterial. Because their administration typically bypasses patients' natural defenses against contaminants, parenteral dosage forms are preferably sterile or capable of being sterilized prior to administration to a patient. Examples of parenteral dosage forms include, but are not limited to, solutions ready for injection, dry products ready to be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle for injection, suspensions ready for injection, and emulsions.

Suitable vehicles that can be used to provide parenteral dosage forms of the invention are well known to those skilled in the art. Examples include, but are not limited to: Water for Injection USP; aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, Sodium Chloride Injection, Ringer's Injection, Dextrose Injection, Dextrose and Sodium Chloride Injection, and Lactated Ringer's Injection; water-miscible vehicles such as, but not limited to, ethyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, and polypropylene glycol; and non-aqueous vehicles such as, but not limited to, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, ethyl oleate, isopropyl myristate, and benzyl benzoate.

Compounds that increase the solubility of one or more of the active ingredients disclosed herein can also be incorporated into the parenteral dosage forms of the invention.

Transdermal, Topical, and Mucosal Dosage Forms

Transdermal, topical, and mucosal dosage forms of the invention include, but are not limited to, ophthalmic solutions, sprays, aerosols, creams, lotions, ointments, gels, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, or other forms known to one of skill in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1980 & 1990) 16th and 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa. and Introduction to Pharmaceutical Dosage Forms (1985) 4th ed., Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia. Dosage forms suitable for treating mucosal tissues within the oral cavity can be formulated as mouthwashes or as oral gels. Further, transdermal dosage forms include “reservoir type” or “matrix type” patches, which can be applied to the skin and worn for a specific period of time to permit the penetration of a desired amount of active ingredients.

Suitable excipients (e.g., carriers and diluents) and other materials that can be used to provide transdermal, topical, and mucosal dosage forms encompassed by this invention are well known to those skilled in the pharmaceutical arts, and depend on the particular tissue to which a given pharmaceutical composition or dosage form will be applied. With that fact in mind, typical excipients include, but are not limited to, water, acetone, ethanol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, butane-1,3-diol, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, mineral oil, and mixtures thereof to form lotions, tinctures, creams, emulsions, gels or ointments, which are non-toxic and pharmaceutically acceptable. Moisturizers or humectants can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions and dosage forms if desired. Examples of such additional ingredients are well known in the art. See, e.g., Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences (1980 & 1990) 16th and 18th eds., Mack Publishing, Easton Pa.

Depending on the specific tissue to be treated, additional components may be used prior to, in conjunction with, or subsequent to treatment with active ingredients of the invention. For example, penetration enhancers can be used to assist in delivering the active ingredients to the tissue. Suitable penetration enhancers include, but are not limited to: acetone; various alcohols such as ethanol, oleyl, and tetrahydrofuryl; alkyl sulfoxides such as dimethyl sulfoxide; dimethyl acetamide; dimethyl formamide; polyethylene glycol; pyrrolidones such as polyvinylpyrrolidone; Kollidon grades (Povidone, Polyvidone); urea; and various water-soluble or insoluble sugar esters such as Tween 80 (polysorbate 80) and Span 60 (sorbitan monostearate).

The pH of a pharmaceutical composition or dosage form, or of the tissue to which the pharmaceutical composition or dosage form is applied, may also be adjusted to improve delivery of one or more active ingredients. Similarly, the polarity of a solvent carrier, its ionic strength, or tonicity can be adjusted to improve delivery. Compounds such as stearates can also be added to pharmaceutical compositions or dosage forms to advantageously alter the hydrophilicity or lipophilicity of one or more active ingredients so as to improve delivery. In this regard, stearates can serve as a lipid vehicle for the formulation, as an emulsifying agent or surfactant, and as a delivery-enhancing or penetration-enhancing agent. Different salts, hydrates or solvates of the active ingredients can be used to further adjust the properties of the resulting composition.

Combination Therapy

The methods for immunosuppression or for treating or preventing inflammatory conditions and immune disorders in a patient in need thereof can further comprise administering to the patient being administered a compound of this invention, an effective amount of one or more other active agents. Such active agents may include those used conventionally for immunosuppression or for inflammatory conditions, allergic disorders or immune disorders. These other active agents may also be those that provide other benefits when administered in combination with the compounds of this invention. For example, other therapeutic agents may include, without limitation, steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, antihistamines, analgesics, immunosuppressive agents and suitable mixtures thereof. In such combination therapy treatment, both the compounds of this invention and the other drug agent(s) are administered to a subject (e.g., humans, male or female) by conventional methods. The agents may be administered in a single dosage form or in separate dosage forms. Effective amounts of the other therapeutic agents and dosage forms are well known to those skilled in the art. It is well within the skilled artisan's purview to determine the other therapeutic agent's optimal effective-amount range.

In one embodiment of the invention where another therapeutic agent is administered to a subject, the effective amount of the compound of this invention is less than its effective amount when the other therapeutic agent is not administered. In another embodiment, the effective amount of the conventional agent is less than its effective amount when the compound of this invention is not administered. In this way, undesired side effects associated with high doses of either agent may be minimized. Other potential advantages (including without limitation improved dosing regimens and/or reduced drug cost) will be apparent to those of skill in the art.

In one embodiment relating to autoimmune, allergic and inflammatory conditions, the other therapeutic agent may be a steroid or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. Particularly useful non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, include, but are not limited to, aspirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, naproxen, benoxaprofen, flurbiprofen, fenoprofen, flubufen, ketoprofen, indoprofen, piroprofen, carprofen, oxaprozin, pramoprofen, muroprofen, trioxaprofen, suprofen, aminoprofen, tiaprofenic acid, fluprofen, bucloxic acid, indomethacin, sulindac, tolmetin, zomepirac, tiopinac, zidometacin, acemetacin, fentiazac, clidanac, oxpinac, mefenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, flufenamic acid, niflumic acid, tolfenamic acid, diflurisal, flufenisal, piroxicam, sudoxicam, isoxicam; salicylic acid derivatives, including aspirin, sodium salicylate, choline magnesium trisalicylate, salsalate, diflunisal, salicylsalicylic acid, sulfasalazine, and olsalazin; para-aminophennol derivatives including acetaminophen and phenacetin; indole and indene acetic acids, including indomethacin, sulindac, and etodolac; heteroaryl acetic acids, including tolmetin, diclofenac, and ketorolac; anthranilic acids (fenamates), including mefenamic acid, and meclofenamic acid; enolic acids, including oxicams (piroxicam, tenoxicam), and pyrazolidinediones (phenylbutazone, oxyphenthartazone); and alkanones, including nabumetone and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and mixtures thereof. For a more detailed description of the NSAIDs, see Paul A. Insel, Analgesic-Antipyretic and Antiinflammatory Agents and Drugs Employed in the Treatment of Gout, in Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics 617-57 (Perry B. Molinhoff and Raymond W. Ruddon eds., 9^(th) ed 1996) and Glen R. Hanson, Analgesic, Antipyretic and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy Vol II 1196-1221 (A. R. Gennaro ed. 19th ed. 1995) which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Of particular relevance to allergic disorders, the other therapeutic agent may be an anthihistamine. Useful antihistamines include, but are not limited to, loratadine, cetirizine, fexofenadine, desloratadine, diphenhydramine, chlorpheniramine, chlorcyclizine, pyrilamine, promethazine, terfenadine, doxepin, carbinoxamine, clemastine, tripelennamine, brompheniramine, hydroxyzine, cyclizine, meclizine, cyproheptadine, phenindamine, acrivastine, azelastine, levocabastine, and mixtures thereof. For a more detailed description of anthihistamines, see Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics (2001) 651-57, 10^(th) ed).

Immunosuppressive agents include glucocorticoids, corticosteroids (such as Prednisone or Solumedrol), T cell blockers (such as cyclosporin A and FK506), purine analogs (such as azathioprine (Imuran)), pyrimidine analogs (such as cytosine arabinoside), alkylating agents (such as nitrogen mustard, phenylalanine mustard, buslfan, and cyclophosphamide), folic acid antagonsists (such as aminopterin and methotrexate), antibiotics (such as rapamycin, actinomycin D, mitomycin C, puramycin, and chloramphenicol), human IgG, antilymphocyte globulin (ALG), and antibodies (such as anti-CD3 (OKT3), anti-CD4 (OKT4), anti-CD5, anti-CD7, anti-IL-2 receptor, anti-alpha/beta TCR, anti-ICAM-1, anti-CD20 (Rituxan), anti-IL-12 and antibodies to immunotoxins).

The foregoing and other useful combination therapies will be understood and appreciated by those of skill in the art. Potential advantages of such combination therapies include a different efficacy profile, the ability to use less of each of the individual active ingredients to minimize toxic side effects, synergistic improvements in efficacy, improved ease of administration or use and/or reduced overall expense of compound preparation or formulation.

Other Embodiments

The compounds of this invention may be used as research tools (for example, as a positive control for evaluating other potential CRAC inhibitors or other IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, TNF-α, and/or INF-γ inhibitors. These and other uses and embodiments of the compounds and compositions of this invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

The invention is further defined by reference to the following examples describing in detail the preparation of compounds of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications, both to materials and methods, may be practiced without departing from the purpose and interest of this invention. The following examples are set forth to assist in understanding the invention and should not be construed as specifically limiting the invention described and claimed herein. Such variations of the invention, including the substitution of all equivalents now known or later developed, which would be within the purview of those skilled in the art, and changes in formulation or minor changes in experimental design, are to be considered to fall within the scope of the invention incorporated herein.

EXAMPLES

Experimental Rationale

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the compounds of this invention inhibit CRAC ion channels, either directly or indirectly, thereby inhibiting production of IL-2 and other key cytokines involved with inflammatory and immune responses. The examples that follow demonstrate these properties.

Materials and General Methods

Reagents and solvents used below can be obtained from commercial sources such as Aldrich Chemical Co. (Milwaukee, Wis., USA). ¹H-NMR and ¹³C-NMR spectra were recorded on a Varian 300 MHz NMR spectrometer. Significant peaks are tabulated in the order: δ (ppm): chemical shift, multiplicity (s, singlet; d, doublet; t, triplet; q, quartet; m, multiplet; br s, broad singlet), coupling constant(s) in Hertz (Hz) and number of protons.

Human leukemic T cells (Jurkat cells) and HEK 293 cells transfected with the FLAG-human TRPM4/pCDNA4/TO construct were grown on glass coverslips with DMEM medium supplemented with 10% FBS, blasticidin (5 μg/mL) and zeocin (0.4 g/mL). TRPM4 expression was induced one day before use by adding 1 μg/mL tetracycline to the culture medium and patch clamp experiments were performed 16-24 hours post-induction (for additional details see Launay et al. (2000)).

Patch clamp experiments were performed in the tight-seal whole-cell configuration at 21-25° C. High resolution current recordings were acquired by a computer-based patch clamp amplifier system (EPC-9, HEKA, Lambrecht, Germany). Patch pipettes had resistances between 2-4 MΩ after filling with the standard intracellular solution. Immediately following establishment of the whole-cell configuration, voltage ramps of 50-200 ms duration spanning the voltage range of −100 to +100 mV were delivered at a rate of 0.5 Hz over a period of 300-400 seconds. All voltages were corrected from a liquid junction potential of 10 mV between external and internal solutions when using glutamate as the intracellular anion. Currents were filtered at 2.9 kHz and digitized at 10 μs intervals. Capacitive currents and series resistance were determined and corrected before each voltage ramp using the automatic capacitance compensation of the EPC-9. The low resolution temporal development of membrane currents was assessed by extracting the current amplitude at −80 mV or +80 mV from individual ramp current records.

Example 1 Synthesis of Representative Exemplary Compounds of this Invention

A. General Synthesis of Compounds in which X is a Benzoimidazolyl (Method 1)

A suspension of a substituted benzoimidazole (27 mmol) and potassium t-butoxide (3.6 g, 30 mmol) in DMF (50 mL) was stirred at rt for 30 min. 1-Fluoro-4-nitro-benzene (4.2 g, 30 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to 150° C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The organic extract washed with water and dried. The oil obtained on concentration was flash chromatograghed on silica gel to give Compound a in 10-90% yields.

A stirred suspension of compound a (12 mmol) in EtOAc (100 mL) and 10% Pd—C (150 mg) was attached to a H₂ balloon for 4-12 h. The mixture was filtered through celite and concentrated to give compound b.

To a mixture of compound b (4.0 mmol) and pyridine (1.3 mL) in chloroform (50 mL) at room temperature was added an acid chloride (5.0 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2-12 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with 1 N HCl, extracted with chloroform and dried. The residue obtained on concentration was crystallized from EtOAc/hexane or flash chromatographed to give the product c in 30%-95% yields.

B. General Synthesis of Compounds in which X is a Benzoimidazolyl (Method 2)

A suspension of (optionally substituted)-1-chloro-2-nitro-benzene (60 mmol), (optionally substituted)-benzene-1,4-diamine (33 g, 0.30 mol) and potassium carbonate (25 g, 0.30 mol) in DMF (200 mL) was heated at 120° C. for 4-120 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract washed with water and dried. The oil obtained on concentration was flash chromatograghed on silica gel to give compound d in 10-90% yields.

A stirred suspension of compound d (15 mmol) in EtOAc (100 mL) and 10% Pd—C (150 mg) was hydrogenated at room temperature for 4-12 h. The mixture was filtered through celite and concentrated (step 1). The oil obtained was mixed with trifluoroacetic acid (5 mL) and trifluoroacetic anhydride (5 mL) and heated at 80° C. for 30 min. The mixture was diluted with water, neutralized with sodium bicarbonate, and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract was dried and concentrated (step 2). The oil obtained was diluted with methanol (100 mL), potassium carbonate (2.5 g, 30 mmol) was added, and the mixture was refluxed for 24 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with EtOAc. The organic extract washed and dried (step 3). Removal of solvent gave compound e in 20-95% yields.

To a mixture of compound e (0.16 mmol) and pyridine (0.1 mL) in chloroform (5 mL) at room temperature was added an acyl chloride (0.25 mmol), and the reaction was stirred for 2 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with 1N HCl, extracted with chloroform and dried. The residue obtained on concentration was crystallized from EtOAc/hexane to give the product f in 30%-95% yields.

C. General Synthesis of Compounds in which X is a Benzoimidazolyl (Method 3)

To a stirred solution of a benzimidazole g (6.00 mmols) and p-fluoronitrobenzene h (6.00 mmols) in 10 mL of anhydrous DMF, was added [potassium t-butoxide (t-BuOK) (7.61 mmols, 1.25 eq.), and the reaction mixture was stirred at 80° C. overnight. The reaction mixture was added into 50 mL of water and the product was extracted with ethylacetate (3×20 mL). The extracts were washed with brine and concentrated. Column chromatography on silica gel using mixture of hexane:ethylacetate provided compound i in 25-45% yields.

To a stirred solution of compound i (1.31 mmols) in 20 mL of 1:1 CH₂Cl₂:EtOH, was added SnCl₂ (13.06 mmols) followed by a few drops of water. The mixture was stirred overnight and concentrated. 20 mL of water was added to the residue, and the solution the brought to pH˜8-9 using 2N NaOH. The resulting mixture was extracted with ethylacetate (20 mL×4), washed with brine (20 mL), dried over Na₂SO₄, and concentrated to afforded compound j in 70-97% yields.

To a solution of compound j (0.30 mmols) in 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂, was added an acyl chloride k (0.30 mmols), followed by diisopropyl-ethylamine (0.60 mmols). The resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min and eluted through a short pad of silica gel using mixture of hexane:ethylacetate to afford, upon concentration, the product I in 80-96% yields.

D. Synthesis of Compounds 34 and 50

A solution of the intermediate A (see Method 1, Compound 163) (2 mmol) and 1,4-Difluoro-2-isocyanato-benzene (2 mmol) or 1,4-Difluoro-2-isothiocyanatobenzene (2 mmol) in DCM (2 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 48 hours. After removal of the solvent and volatile components, the crude material was separated by silica gel chromatography (hexane to 10% hexane/EtOAc to 50% hexane/EtOAc) to afford Compound 34 or Compound 5.

E. Synthesis of Compound 12

To a solution of Compound 9 (100 mg, 0.24 mmol) in dry benzene (10 mL) was added Lawesson's reagent (80 mg, 0.2 mmol) and the mixture was heated to reflux for 2 h. Undissolvable materials were then filtered off through celite, and the filtrate was concentrated followed by silica gel chromatography (hexane to 20% hexane/EtOAc) to afford Compound 12 as a yellow solid.

F. Synthesis of Compound 52

To a stirred solution of 2,3-difluoroanilline (2.58 g, 20 mmol) in water (25 mL) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (15 mL) at −10° C. was added a solution of NaNO₂ (1.45 g, 21 mmol) in water (3 mL) dropwise over a period of 30 min. After 10 min, this mixture was added to a SO₂ saturated solution in acetic acid (20 mL) and concentrated hydrochloric acid (2 mL) containing CuCl (0.6 g) at 0° C. The mixture was partitioned between water and EtOAc. Organic layer was separated and washed with NaHCO₃; dried (Na₂SO₄). The crude product 2,3-Difluoro-benzenesulfonyl chloride thus obtained was used directly without further purification.

The above obtained 2,3-Difluoro-benzenesulfonyl chloride (1.2 equiv.) was added to a solution of the “intermediate A” in chloroform and pyridine and the mixture was allowed to react at room temperature for 3 h. The mixture was diluted with dichloromethane (DCM) and washed with dilute hydrochloric acid and dried (Na₂SO₄). Pure product of Compound 52 was obtained by silica gel chromatography (30% hexane/EtOAc) as a white solid.

G. Synthesis of Compounds 46 and 47

A stirred mixture of 2-Trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazole (4.92 g, 26.4 mmol), 4-fluorobenaldehyde (3.1 mL, 29.1 mmol), and K₂CO₃ (4.37 g, 31.7 mmol) in DMF (50 mL) was heated to 150° C. for 16 h. After being cooled to room temperature, the reaction mixture was partitioned between H₂O and EtOAC. After usual workup, the crude product was purified by silica gel chromatography (20% Hexane/EtOAc to 30% Hexane/EtOAc) to afford a yellow oil which was subjected to a second silica gel chromatography (DMC) to provide the aldehyde intermediate 4-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)benzaldehyde as a white solid (4.0 g).

To a solution of the above 4-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)benzaldehyde (0.155 g, 0.53 mmol) and (2,3-Difluoro-phenyl)-acetonitrile (83 mg, 0.54 mmol) in EtOH (5 mL) was added a solution of KOH (0.2 g) in H2O (0.5 mL). The mixture was then stirred at rt for 1 h, partitioned between EtOAc/H₂O. The organic layer was dried and concentrated followed by silica gel chromatography (20% Hexane/EtOAc) to afford the product Compound 47 as a colorless oil.

To a stirred solution of 4-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-benzaldehyde (0.58 g, 2 mmol) in acetone (25 mL) was added Jone's reagent (1.0 mL, 2.0 M) at 0° C. After stirring at room temperature for 2 h, the mixture was partitioned between EtOAc and saturated NaHCO₃ solution. After usual workup, the crude material was separated by silica gel chromatography (50% Hexane/EtOAc to EtOAc) to afford the intermediate acid 4-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid as a while solid (490 mg).

To a stirred solution of 4-(2-Trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-benzoic acid (102 mg, 0.33 mmol) in dry CHCl₃ (15 mL) was added oxalyl chloride (0.09 mL) followed by one drop of DMF at room temperature. After 1 h, the reaction pot was concentrated and vacuum dried. Dry chloroform (15 mL) and pyridine (0.1 mL) was then added followed by the addition of 2,3-difluoroanilline (36 mg, 0.28 mmol). The reaction was monitored by TLC, after completion, the mixture was partitioned between 1 N HCl and DCM. Organic layer was separated and dried (Na₂SO₄). Removal of solvents followed silica gel chromatography (20% hexane/EtOAc) afforded the product Compound 46 as a white solid.

Methods 1-3, shown above, were utilized with appropriate starting materials and reagents to produce the following compounds of the invention. Choice of the appropriate starting materials and reagents will be readily apparent to one of skill in the art for these and other compounds of this invention.

Compound 3

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.5 (br, 1H), 7.9 (m, 3H), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.34 (s, 1H), 7.2 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m, 2H), 3.88 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₃F₆N₃O₂: 465.1; Found: 466.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 6

¹H NMR δ (DMSO-d₆) 11.06 (s, 1H), 8.81 (d, J=0.9 Hz, 1H), 8.64 (dd, J₁=0.9 Hz, J₂=4.8 Hz, 1H), 7.96 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H), 7.76 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.62 (d, J=9 Hz, 2H), 7.43 (d, J=2.4 Hz, 1H), 7.07-7.15 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H); ESMS Calcd (C₂₁H₁₄F₄N₄O₂): 430.11, found (M+1) 431.11

Compound 9

¹H-NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm), 8.50 (d, J=13.8 Hz, 1H), 7.97-7.90 (m, 4H), 7.48-7.39 (m, 5H), 7.34-7.31 (m, 1H), 7.21-7.18 (m, 1H); ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₂F₅N₃O: 417.10; Found: 418.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 11

¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃), δ (ppm): 8.5 (d, J=15 Hz, 1H), 7.91-7.86 (m, 3H), 7.73 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.49-7.44 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.35 (m, 1H), 7.32-7.10 (m, 4H), 2.76 (s, 3H).

Compound 21

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.9 (br, 1H), 8.0 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.7 (m, 1H), 7.6 (m, 3H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 1H), 6.5 (d, 1H, J=9), 6.3 (d, 1H, J=9), 5.8 (br, 2H); ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₃F₅N₄O: 432.1; Found: 433.0 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 22

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 9.0 (br, 1H), 8.1 (m, 1H), 7.9 (m, 3H), 7.4 (m, 4H), 7.2 (m, 1H), 6.7 (br, 1H), 1.56 (s, 9H); ESMS clcd for C₂₆H₂₀F₆N₄O₃: 550.1; Found: 551.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 27

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 11.1 (br, 1H), 8.7 (s, 1H), 8.4 (m, 1H), 8.0 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.8 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.7 (m, 2H), 7.5 (m, 2H), 7.3 (m, 1H); ESMS clcd for C₂₀H₁₂F₄N₄O: 400.1; Found: 401.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 34

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ 8.9 (d, 1H), 8.3 (s, 1H), 7.85-7.95 (m, 2H), 7.71 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.45 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.36-7.45 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.25 (m, 1H), 7.04-7.15 (m, 1H), 6.85-6.95 (m, 1H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₀H₁₂F₅N₅S: 449.1; Found: 450.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 45

¹H-NMR (CDCl3) δ (ppm), 9.14 (d, J=2.4 Hz 1H), 8.82 (m, 1H), 8.28-8.25 (m, 2H), 7.95-7.91 (m, 3H), 7.51-7.41 (m, 5H), 7.20-7.17 (m, 1H); ESMS clcd for C₂₀H₁₃F₃N₄O: 382.10; Found: 383.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 47

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.1 (m, 2H), 8.0 (m, 1H), 7.72 (s, 1H), 7.6 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.4 (m, 3H), 7.2 (m, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₁₃H₁₂F₅N₃: 425.1; Found: 426.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 69

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ 8.6 (s, 1H), 8.15 (m, 1H), 7.86 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.42-7.60 (m, 4H), 7.18-7.34 (m, 2H), 6.82 (d, 1H, J=1.5), 5.55-6.64 (m, 1H), 1.40 (s, 9H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₆H₂₁F₃N₄O₃: 494.2; Found: 495.2 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 74

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.44 (s, 1H), 8.20 (br, 1H), 8.0 (m, 6H), 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.4 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₆H₁₈F₃N₃O₂: 461.1; Found: 462.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 75

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.3 (br, 1H), 8.1 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.6 (m, 1H), 7.55 (s, 1H), 7.4 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.33 (s, 1H), 7.0 (m, 3H), 6.12 (s, 2H), 3.86 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₁₆F₃N₃O₄: 455.1; Found: 456.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 77

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.0 (m, 3H), 7.8 (m, 4H), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₁₅F₃N₄O₂: 436.1; Found: 437.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 79

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.5 (br, 1H), 8.0 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.9 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.6 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.4 (m, 3H), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H), 2.7 (q, 2H, J=8), 1.2 (t, 3H, J=8); ESMS clcd for C₂₄H₂₀F₃N₃O₂: 439.1; Found: 440.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 81

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 11.2 (br, 1H), 9.2 (t, 2H, J=2), 9.0 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.1 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.6 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₄F₃N₅O₆: 501.1; Found: 502.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 82

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.2 (br, 1H), 7.8 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.4 (d, 1H, J=1), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.3 (t, 2H, J=7), 1.6 (m, 2H), 0.9 (t, 3H, J=7); ESMS clcd for C₁₉H₁₈F₃N₃O₂: 377.1; Found: 378.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 83

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.9 (br, 1H), 8.2 (m, 1H), 8.1 (m, 4H), 7.8 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.6 (m, 5H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.85 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₆H₁₈F₃N₃O₂: 461.1; Found: 462.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 91

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 7.8 (m, 3H), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₁F₈N₃O₂: 501.1; Found: 502.0 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 99

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ 7.99 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2H), 7.50 (m, 4H), 7.65 (m, 1H), 7.18 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (m, 2H), 6.89 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 1H)

ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₂F₅N₃O₂: 433.1; Found: 434.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 101

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.8 (br, 1H), 8.44 (s, 1H), 8.3 (d, 1H, J=6), 8.1 (d, 1H, J=8), 8.0 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.8 (t, 1H, J=8), 7.6 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.4 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₁₅F₃N₄O₂: 436.1; Found: 437.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 105

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.2 (br, 1H), 7.9 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.41 (s, 1H), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.8 (m, 1H), 1.7 (m, 8H); ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₂₀F₃N₃O₂: 403.1; Found: 404.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 106

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.2 (br, 1H), 7.8 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.4 (m, 1H), 1.8 (m, 4H), 1.3 (m, 6H); ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₂₂F₃N₃O₂: 417.2; Found: 418.2 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 111

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.6 (br, 1H), 8.0 (m, 4H), 7.6 (m, 5H), 7.4 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₆F₃N₃O₂: 411.1; Found: 412.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 112

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ 8.5 (d, J=14.1 Hz, 1H), 7.94 (m, 3H), 7.40 (m, 5H), 7.08 (m, 2H), 4.59 (m, 1H), 1.38 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 6H)

ESMS clcd for C₂₄H₁₈F₅N₃O₂: 475.1; Found: 476.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 114

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.9 (br, 1H), 8.8 (m, 2H), 8.0 (m, 4H), 7.6 (m, 2H), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.84 (s, 3H); ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₅F₃N₄O₂: 412.1; Found: 413.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 116

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 10.3 (br, 1H), 7.8 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.5 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.4 (m, 1H), 7.1 (m, 2H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.2 (d, 2H, J=7), 2.1 (m, 1H), 0.9 (d, 6H, J=7); ESMS clcd for C₂₀H₂₀F₃N₃O₂: 391.2; Found: 392.1 (M+H)⁺.

Isomeric Mixture 136

¹H NMR δ (DMSO-d₆) 8.06 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.95-7.98 (m, 2H), 7.48-7.75 (m, 17H), 7.30-7.37 (m, 4H), 7.09 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 1H), 7.01 (d, J=2.1 Hz, 1H); ESMS Calcd (C₂₈H₁₃ClF₇N₃O₂): 591.06, found (M+1) 592.1

H. Typical Synthesis of Compounds in which X is a Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridyl (Compound 70):

1.04 g (11 mmol) of 2-aminopyridine and 2.39 g (11 mmol) of p-nitrobenzylbromide were dissolved in 20 mL CH₃CN. The solution was warmed to reflux for 1 hr then cooled to room temperature, diluted with Et₂O, and the solid filtered, washed 4× with Et₂O and collected to yield 3 g (88%) of 1-(4-Nitro-benzyl)-1H-pyridin-2-ylidene-ammonium bromide (m) as an off white solid.

To a solution of 1.01 g (3.27 mmol) of 1-(4-Nitro-benzyl)-1H-pyridin-2-ylidene-ammonium bromide (m) and 4 mL 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP) in a sealed tube was added 0.51 mL (3.6 mmol) of trifluoroacetic anhydride and 0.96 mL (6.9 mmol) of triethyl amine (TEA). The reaction mixture was heated to 155° C. for 3 hr then cooled to room temperature, diluted with 50 mL 2N NaOH and extracted 3 times with 30 mL EtOAc. The combined organics were washed with saturated aqueous NaHCO₃, and brine, dried over MgSO₄ filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude oil was purified by silica gel chromatography 1:2 (EtOAc:Hexanes) to yield 753 mg (74%) of 3-(4-Nitrophenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (n) as a yellow solid.

To a solution of 690 mg (2.3 mmol) of 3-(4-Nitro-phenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine (n) in 30 mL of a 1:1 mixture of CH₂Cl₂ and ethanol (EtOH) was added 4.3 g (23 mmol) of SnCl₂ and 4 drops of H₂O. The reaction was allowed to stir overnight at which time it was concentrated in vacuo, and the resulting oil dissolved in 40 mL of EtOAc and washed 3 times with 50 mL of 2N NaOH. The organic layer was then dried over MgSO₄ filtered and concentrated in vacuo. 73 mg (0.26 mmol) of the resulting solid was dissolved in 4 mL of CH₂Cl₂ to which 0.035 mL (0.27 mmol) of 3,4 difluorobenzoylchloride and 0.09 mL (0.52 mmol) diisopropyl ethyl amine (DIPEA) were added. The reaction was allowed to stir for 4 hrs at which time it was diluted with 20 mL CH₂Cl₂, quenched with 15 mL saturated aqueous NaHCO₃ and washed with 15 mL brine. The organic layer was then dried over MgSO₄ filtered and concentrated in vacuo. The crude oil was purified by silica gel chromatography 1:3 (EtOAc:Hexanes) to yield 91 mg (84%) of 2,3-Difluoro-N-[4-(2-trifluoromethyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridin-3-yl)-phenyl]-benzamide (Compound 70) as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.53 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (m, 4H), 7.71 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.42 (m, 3H), 6.89 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 1H)

ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₂F₅N₃O: 417.1; Found: 418.3 (M+H)⁺.

I. Synthesis of Compounds in which X is an Indolizine

A mixture of (substituted)-2-Picoline (10.73 mmols) (p) and p-nitrobenzylbromide (10.73 mmols) (q) was stirred overnight in 10 mL of acetonitrile at room temperature. The white solid obtained was filtered, washed with acetonitrile and dried to afford r in 50%-95% yields.

A mixture of the salt r (3.23 mmols), ethyltrifluoroacetate s (3.23 mmols) and DBU (6.47 mmols) in 5 mL of anhydrous NMP was heated in a pressure tube at 130-140° C. for 0.5-8 h. The tube was cooled, the contents were poured into 100 mL of water and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate (15 mL×3). The combined extracts were washed with brine and dried over anhydrous Na₂SO₄. Concentration followed by column chromatography on silica gel using a mixture of hexane/EtOAc to afford the cyclized product t in 10%-80% yields.

To a stirred solution of t (1.31 mmols) in 20 mL of 1:1 CH₂Cl₂:EtOH, was added of SnCl₂ (13.06 mmols) followed by a few drops of water. The mixture was stirred overnight and concentrated. To the residue, was added 20 mL of water and the solution the brought to pH˜8-9 using 2N NaOH. The resulting mixture was successively extracted with ethylacetate (20 mL×4), washed with brine (20 mL) and dried over Na₂SO₄. Concentration on Rota vapor afforded u in 70-97% yields.

To a solution of u (0.30 mmols) in 5 mL of CH₂Cl₂, was added the corresponding acyl chloride v (0.30 mmols), followed by diisopropyl-ethylamine (0.60 mmols). The resultant mixture was stirred at room temperature for 30 min and eluted through a short pad of silica gel using mixture of hexane:ethylacetate to afford the product w in 80-96% yields.

J. Synthesis of Compound 8

To a solution of 400 mg (1.3 mmol) of 3-(4-Nitro-phenyl)-2-trifluoromethyl-indolizine in 12 mL MeOH was added 200 mg (10%) Pd/C. The solution was allowed to stir under a H₂ atmosphere for 24 hrs then filtered through celite and concentrated in vacuo. The resulting oil was purified by silica gel chromatography Hexane:EtOAc (gradient 9:1-1:1) to yield 300 mg (1.1 mmol, 85%) of 4-(2-Trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-indolizin-3-yl)phenylamine.

Compound 8 was then synthesized from 4-(2-Trifluoromethyl-5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-indolizin-3-yl)-phenylamine and 2,3-difluorobenzoyl chloride in a similar manner as described in Methods 1 or 2.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.41 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 7.93 (m, 1H), 7.70 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.35 (m, 3H), 7.24 (m, 1H), 6.12 (s, 1H), 3.66 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 2.82 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H), 1.9 (m, 4H).

ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₇F₅N₂O: 420.13; Found: 421.4 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 24

Compound 24 was prepared in a similar method as described for Compound 8.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.59 (s, 1H), 7.75 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 7.45 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2H), 6.25 (s, 1H), 3.76 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 3.07 (s, 3H), 2.92 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H), 1.9 (m, 4H).

ESMS clcd for C₁₉H₁₇F₃N₄OS: 406.1; Found: 407.1 (M+H)⁺.

K. Synthesis of Compound 44

A suspension of a substituted imidazo[4,5-b]pyridyl (27 mmol) and potassium t-butoxide (3.6 g, 30 mmol) in DMF (50 mL) was stirred at room temperature for 30 min. 1-Fluoro-4-nitro-benzene (4.2 g, 30 mmol) was added and the reaction mixture was heated to 150° C. for 4 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with water and extracted with ethyl acetate (EtOAc). The organic extract washed with water and dried. The oil obtained on concentration was flash chromatograghed on silica gel to give x in 10-90% yields.

A stirred suspension of compound x (12 mmol) in EtOAc (100 mL) and 10% Pd—C (150 mg) was attached to a H₂ balloon for 4-12 h. The mixture was filtered through celite and concentrated to give compound y.

To a mixture of compound y (4.0 mmol) and pyridine (1.3 mL) in chloroform (50 mL) at room temperature was added an acid chloride (5.0 mmol). The reaction mixture was stirred for 2-12 h. The reaction mixture was diluted with 1 N HCl, extracted with chloroform and dried. The residue obtained on concentration was crystallized from EtOAc/hexane or flash chromatographed to give the product Compound 44 in 30%-95% yield.

¹H-NMR (CD₃OD) δ 8.45-8.55 (m, 2H), 8.25 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.85-7.95 (m, 3H), 7.35-7.55 (m, 4H), 7.15-7.30 (m, 1H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₀H₁₁F₅N₅O₄: 418.0; Found: 419.0 (M+H)⁺.

L. Additional Representative Compounds of the Invention

1. Synthesis of Compound 162

Preparation of Compound z:

A mixture of 4-methoxy-2-nitrobenzenamine (8 g, 47.62 mmol), 5-bromo-2-nitropyridine (7.2 g, 35.47 mmol), and potassium 2-methylpropan-2-olate (6 g, 53.57 mmol) in DMF (180 ml) was allowed to stir for 5 hours at 30° C. and overnight at 60° C. After being cooled down to room temperature, the reaction mixture was quenched by the addition of H₂O (200 mL) and the resulting solution was extracted three times with 400 ml of EtOAc, washed with 200 ml of H₂O and 200 ml of brine. The mixture was dried and concentrated under reduced pressure. The crude material such obtained was purified by solvating gas chromatography (SGC) using 1:10-1:5 EtOAc/PE as eluents to provide 800 mg (5%) of (5-Bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-(4-methoxy-2-nitro-phenyl)-amine (z) as a red solid.

Preparation of Compound aa:

Into a 100 ml round bottom flask, was placed (5-Bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-(4-methoxy-2-nitro-phenyl)-amine (80 mg, 0.247 mmol), Zn (160 g, 2.47 mmol), dichloromethane (DCM) (5 ml) and the solution of acetic acid (AcOH) (330 mg) in ethanol (EtOH) (2 ml). The resulting solution was allowed to react, with stirring, for 2 hours at room temperature. The residue was purified by eluting through a column with an ethyl acetate/petroleum ether (1:4-1:1) solvent system. The collected fractions were combined and concentrated by evaporation under vacuum using a rotary evaporator. This resulted in 30 mg (41%) of N¹-(5-Bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-4-methoxy-benzene-1,2-diamine (2) as a pale gray solid.

Preparation of Compound bb:

To a stirred mixture of ¹-(5-Bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-4-methoxy-benzene-1,2-diamine (700 mg, 2.38 mmol) in (CF₃CO)₂O (3 ml) was added CF₃COOH (10 ml). The resulting solution was allowed to react, with stirring, for 1 hour while the temperature was maintained at 80° C. in a bath of oil. The reaction mixture was then quenched by the adding 20 ml of H₂O. Adjustment of the pH to 11 was accomplished by the addition of K₂CO₃. The resulting solution was extracted two times with 60 ml of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and dried over CaCl₂. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, 0.85 g (91%) of N-[2-(5-Bromo-pyridin-2-ylamino)-5-methoxy-phenyl]-2,2,2-trifluoro-acetamide (bb) was obtained as a white solid and it was used directly in the next step.

Preparation of Compound cc:

To a solution of N-[2-(5-Bromo-pyridin-2-ylamino)-5-methoxy-phenyl]-2,2,2-trifluoro-acetamide (70 mg, 0.18 mmol) in toluene (15 mL) was added (CF₃CO)₂O (6 mL). The resulting solution was allowed to stir overnight at reflux. The volatile components were then removed under reduced pressure and the residue was purified by SGC using 1:7 EtOAc/petroleum ether as eluents to provide 5 mg (6%) of 1-(5-Bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazole (cc) as a white solid. ¹HNMR (400 MHz, DMSO-D₆) δ 3.84 (3H, s), 7.11-7.13 (1H, d), 7.37 (1H, d), 7.45 (1H, s), 7.81 (1H, d), 8.46 (1H, d), 8.88 (1H, s) ppm.

Synthesis of Compound 162:

Into a 10 ml sealed tube, was placed 1-(5-Bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-1H-benzoimidazole (30 g, 80.65 mmol). To this was added CuI (20 mg), L-Proline (20 g), CH₃CH₂NH₂ (2 ml) and K₂CO₃ (30 g) followed by the addition of dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) (6 ml). The resulting solution was allowed to stir for 6 hours at 60° C., then diluted with 10 ml of H₂O and extracted two times with 30 ml of EtOAc. Organic layers were combined and washed with 20 ml of H₂O. The combined organic layer was dried and concentrated, and the residue was purified by SGC using 1:12-1:6 EtOAc/petroleum ether as eluent to provide 21 g (78%) of Ethyl-[6-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-amine (Compound 162) as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 8.2 (s, 1H), 7.95 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.92 (s, 1H), 7.38 (dd, 1H, J=8, 2), 7.06-7.25 (m, 2H), 6.42 (t, 1H, J=5), 3.84 (s, 3H), 3.11-3.34 (m, 2H), 1.22 (t, 3H, J=7) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₆H₁₅F₃N₄O: 336.1; Found: 337.1 (M+H)⁺.

2. Synthesis of Compound 163

Synthesis of Compound dd:

To a stirred solution of 4-methoxy-2-nitrobenzenamine (1 g, 5.95 mmol) in DMSO (30 ml) was added 5-bromo-2-nitropyridine (2.4 g, 11.82 mmol), Potassium t-butoxide (t-Bu-OK) (1.33 g, 11.85 mmol) and CuI (5 mg). Pd(PPh₃)₂Cl₂ (5 mg) was then added to the mixture. The resultant solution was stirred at 50° C. overnight, then extracted three times with 50 ml of EtOAc and the organic layers were combined and dried over Na₂SO₄. After removal of the solvent under reduced pressure, the crude product was purified by SGC (2:2 CH₂Cl₂/petroleum ether as eluent) to result in 200 mg (11%) of (4-Methoxy-2-nitro-phenyl)-(6-nitro-pyridin-3-yl)-amine (dd) as a red solid. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d₆) δ 9.45 (1H, s), 8.27 (1H, s), 8.26 (1H, dd, J=3.6 Hz), 7.72 (1H, dd, J=3.6 Hz), 7.65 (1H, s), 7.49 (1H, dd, J=9.12 Hz), 7.42 (1H, dd, J=9.12 Hz), 3.95 (3H, s)

Synthesis of Compound ee:

To a solution of (4-Methoxy-2-nitro-phenyl)-(6-nitro-pyridin-3-yl)-amine (1.5 g, 1.55 mmol) in ethanol (50 ml) was added Pd/C (0.05 g) under N₂. The mixture was shaken under a positive pressure of hydrogen at 5° C. for 4 h. After removal of the catalyst by filtration, the filtrate was concentrated by evaporation under vacuum using a rotary evaporator. The crude product, N⁵-(2-Amino-4-methoxy-phenyl)-pyridine-2,5-diamine, thus obtained was used directly for the next step.

Synthesis of Compound ff:

To a solution of N⁵-(2-Amino-4-methoxy-phenyl)-pyridine-2,5-diamine (150 mg, 0.65 mmol) in trifluoroacetic acid (5 ml) was added (CF₃CO)₂O (5 ml). The resultant solution was allowed to stir at 80° C. for 4 hours. The reaction progress was monitored by TLC (EtOAc/petroleum ether=1:2). The mixture was concentrated under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator. The reaction mixture was then quenched by adding 30 ml of 10% NaHCO₃. The resultant solution was extracted three times with 50 ml of EtOAc and the organic layers were combined and dried over Na₂SO₄. After removal of the drying reagent by filtration, the crude product, 2,2,2-Trifluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-acetamide (ff), was obtained by removal of the solvent under reduced pressure and it was used directly in the next step without purification.

Synthesis of Compound gg:

To a solution of 2,2,2-Trifluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-acetamide (100 mg, 0.25 mmol) in methanol (20 ml) was added K₂CO₃ (510 mg, 3.69 mmol). The resultant solution was allowed to stir overnight at 65° C. The reaction progress was monitored by LCMS. After completion, the reaction mixture was quenched by adding 30 ml of H₂O. The resultant solution was extracted three times with 30 ml of EtOAc and the organic layers were combined and dried over Na₂SO₄. After removal of the drying reagent and the solvent, the residue was purified by SGC using 1:3 EtOAc/petroleum ether as eluents to provide 80 mg (79%) of 5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-ylamine (gg) as a white solid. ¹NMR (400 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 8.11 (1H, s), 7.49 (1H, dd, J=2.16 Hz), 7.47 (1H, dd, J=2.16 Hz), 7.33 (1H, dd, J=8.8 Hz), 7.04 (1H, s), 6.69 (1H, dd, J=8.8 Hz), 5.08 (2H, s), 3.87 (3H, s) ppm.

Synthesis of Compound 163

To a solution of 5-(5-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-amine (80 mg, 0.25 mmol) in CHCl₃ (10 ml) was added 2,6-difluorobenzoic acid (90 mg, 0.57 mmol), 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethylcarbodiimide (EDC) (240 mg, 1.25 mmol) and 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) (160 mg, 1.31 mmol). The resultant solution was allowed to stir for 24 hours at room temperature. The reaction progress was monitored by TLC (EtOAc/petroleum ether=1:1). After the completion, the resultant solution was diluted with 30 ml of CHCl₃ and washed with 30 ml of H₂O. The mixture was dried and concentrated by evaporation under reduced pressure on a rotary evaporator. The crude product was purified by SGC using 1:5 EtOAc/petroleum ether as eluent to afford 90 mg (81%) of 2,6-difluoro-N-(5-(5-methoxy-2-(trifluoromethyl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-1-yl)pyridin-2-yl)benzamide (Compound 163) as a white solid.

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.70 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.37 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.86 (dd, 1H, J=9, 2), 7.49 (m, 1H), 7.37 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.03-7.10 (m, 4H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₃F₅N₄O₂: 448; Found: 449 (M+H)⁺.

Compounds 164 through 216 below were prepared in a similar manner to Compounds 162 and 163.

Compound 164

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.7 (m, 1H), 8.3 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.0 (m, 1H), 7.6 (s, 1H), 7.4 (s, 1H), 7.1 (dd, 1H, J=8, 1), 7.0 (d, 1H, J=1), 3.9 (s, 3H), 2.4 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₆H₁₃F₃N₄O₂: 350.1; Found: 351.1 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 165

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.11 (d, 1H, J=5), 7.41 (dd, 1H, J=9, 2), 7.33 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.04-7.08 (m, 2H), 6.49 (d, 1H, J=9), 4.89 (bs, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.32-3.37 (m, 2H), 1.63-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.45-1.50 (m, 2H), 0.99 (t, 3H, J=7) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₈H₁₉F₃N₄O: 364.2; Found: 365.2 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 166

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 11.52 (s, 1H), 8.67 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.43 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.15-8.19 (m, 3H), 8.02 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.44 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.10 (d, 1H, J=2), 3.84 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₄F₃N₅O₂: 437; Found: 438 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 167

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.51 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.34 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.30 (bs, 1H), 7.79 (dd, 1H, J=9, 2), 7.36 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.00-7.06 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 2.46 (t, 2H, J=7), 1.79-1.84 (m, 2H), 1.05 (t, 3H, J=7) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₈H₁₇F₃N₄O₂: 378; Found: 379 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 168

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.52 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.38 (bs, 1H), 8.34 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.78 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.36 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.00-7.06 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 2.43 (m, 2H), 1.56-1.63 (m, 2H), 0.94-1.31 (m, 6H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₉H₁₉F₃N₄O₂: 392; Found: 393 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 169

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.60 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.34 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.85 (dd, 1H, J=9, 2), 7.37 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.27 (s, 1H), 7.00-7.07 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 3.32 (m, 1H), 2.43 (m, 2H), 2.33 (m, 2H), 2.01 (m, 2H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₉H₁₇F₃N₄O₂: 390; Found: 391 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 170

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.80 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.40 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.08-8.02 (m, 2H), 7.85-7.87 (m, 1H), 7.37 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.21-7.36 (m, 2H), 7.05-7.07 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₄N₄O₂: 430; Found: 431 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 171

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.84 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.40 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.92 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.86 (dd, 1H, J=9, 2), 7.53 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.37 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.03-7.07 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H_(14Cl)F₃N₄O₂: 446; Found: 447 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 172

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.95 (bs, 1H), 8.50 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.334 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.79 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.36 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.00-7.08 (m, 2H), 1.67 9 m, 1H), 1.25 (m, 2H), 0.98 (m, 2H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₈H₁₅F₃N₄O₂: 376; Found: 377 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 173

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 9.25 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.88 (s, 1H), 7.80 (d, 1H, J=9), 6.90-7.20 (m, 6H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₃ClF₄N₄O₂: 464; Found: 465 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 174

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.80 (s, 1H), 8.63 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.31 (d, 1H, J=5), 7.87 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.61 (m, 2H), 7.37 (m, 2H), 7.03-7.10 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₃Cl₂F₃N₄O₂: 480; Found: 481 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 175

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 9.35 (d, 1H, J=13), 8.65 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.43 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.23-8.25 (m, 1H), 7.85-7.87 (m, 1H), 7.37 (d, 1H, J=1), 7.01-7.11 (m, 4H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₃F₅N₄O₂: 448; Found: 449 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 176

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.96 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H, J=12), 8.39 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d, 1H, J=11), 7.79 (d, 1H, J=11), 7.54 (s, 1H), 7.43 (d, 1H, J=11), 7.37 (s, 1H), 7.03-7.11 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₃Cl₂F₃N₄O₂: 480; Found: 481 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 177

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 11.34 (s, 1H), 8.62 (s, 1H), 8.39 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.15 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.72-7.76 (m, 1H), 7.61 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.42 (d, 2H, J=1), 7.20 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.08 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.81 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₃ClF₄N₄O₂: 464; Found: 465 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 178

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 9.04 (s, 1H), 8.65 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.26 (s, 1H), 7.79-7.87 (m, 2H), 7.37-7.47 (m, 4H), 7.03-7.07 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄ClF₃N₄O₂: 446; Found: 447 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 179

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.78 (s, 1H), 8.61 (d, 1H, J=8), 8.38 (s, 1H), 7.94 (s, 1H), 7.80-7.84 (m, 2H), 7.57 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.45-7.49 (m, 1H), 7.34 (s, 1H), 7.00-7.07 (m, 2H), 3.87 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄ClF₃N₄O₂: 446; Found: 447 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 180

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 9.00 (s, 1H), 8.66 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.18 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.88 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.64-7.71 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.44 (m, 3H), 7.03-7.08 (m, 2H), 3.91 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄BrF₃N₄O₂: 490; Found: 491 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 181

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.83 (s, 1H), 8.63 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.39 (d, 1H, J=1), 8.31 (s, 1H), 7.84-7.95 (m, 3H), 7.36 (s, 1H), 7.25-7.30 (m, 1H), 7.02-7.08 (m, 2H), 3.88 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₃IN₄O₂: 538; Found: 539 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 182

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.94 (s, 1H), 8.66 (d, 1H, J=12), 8.41 (s, 1H), 7.80-7.94 (m, 3H), 7.65-7.72 (m, 2H), 7.37 (s, 1H), 7.02-7.10 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₃IN₄O₂: 538; Found: 539 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 183

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ (ppm) 11.45 (s, 1H), 8.66 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.47 (s, 1H), 8.42 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.29 (d, 1H, J=8), 8.17 (t, 1H, J=2), 8.07 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.75 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.43 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.20 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (t, 1H, J=2), 3.82 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₄F₃N₅O₂: 437; Found: 438 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 184

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.91 (s, 1H), 8.83 (s, 1H), 8.65 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.49 (d, 1H, J=8), 8.44 (s, 1H), 8.33 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.89 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.79 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.37 (s, 1H), 7.04-7.10 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₃N₅O₄: 457; Found: 458 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 185

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 9.33 (d, 1H, J=19), 8.66 (d, 1H, J=12), 8.42 (s, 1H), 8.20 (t, 1H, J=10), 7.84 (d, 1H, J=12), 7.61 (t, 1H, J=9), 7.55-7.64 (m, 2H), 7.20-7.29 9 m, 1H), 7.03-7.09 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₄N₄O₂: 430; Found: 431 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 186

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.87 (s, 1H), 8.66 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.41 (s, 1H), 7.87 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.69-7.86 (m, 2H), 7.53-7.55 (m, 1H), 7.26-7.37 (m, 2H), 7.03-7.07 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₄N₄O₂: 430; Found: 431 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 187

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.66 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.58 (s, 1H), 8.28 (s, 1H), 7.95 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.88 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.65 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.51 (t, 1H, J=7), 7.40 (s, 1H), 7.19 (t, 1H, J=7), 7.02-7.10 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₃IN₄O₂: 538; Found: 539 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 188

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.11 (d, 1H, J=5), 7.41 (dd, 1H, J=9, 2), 7.33 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.04-7.08 (m, 2H), 6.49 (d, 1H, J=9), 4.89 (bs, 1H), 3.88 (s, 3H), 3.32-3.37 (m, 2H), 1.63-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.45-1.50 (m, 2H), 0.99 (t, 3H, J=7) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₈H₁₉F₃N₄O: 364.2; Found: 365.2 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 189

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.48-8.54 (m, 2H), 8.33 (t, 1H, J=1), 7.79 (dd, 1H, J=1, 9), 7.36 (s, 1H), 7.01-7.08 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 2.26-2.36 (m, 3H), 1.06 (d, 6H, J=6) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₉H₁₉F₃N₄O₂: 392; Found: 393 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 190

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 9.02 (s, 1H), 8.67 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.44 (s, 1H), 8.42 (d, 2H, J=9), 8.17 (d, 2H, J=9), 7.91 (dd, 1H, J=1, 9), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.03-7.10 (m, 2H), 3.90 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₃N₅O₄: 457; Found: 458 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 191

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.75 (s, 1H), 8.63 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.45 (s, 1H), 8.16 (s, 1H), 7.85-7.92 (m, 2H), 7.78 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.46 (t, 1H, J=9), 7.39 (s, 1H), 7.02-7.11 (m, 2H), 3.92 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄BrF₃N₄O₂: 490; Found: 491 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 192

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.85 (s, 1H), 8.66 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.61 s, 1H), 8.45 (s, 1H), 8.34 (d, 1H, J=8), 8.26 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.88 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.69 (t, 1H, J=9), 7.40 (s, 1H), 7.02-7.12 (m, 2H), 4.01 (s, 3H), 3.92 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₁₇F₃N₄O₄: 470; Found: 471 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 193

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.64 (bs, 1H), 8.56 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.33 (s, 1H), 7.82 (dd, 1H, J=4, 8), 7.36 (s, 1H, J=6), 7.01-7.09 (m, 2H), 3.89 (s, 3H), 2.82-2.86 (m, 1H), 1.26-2.03 (m, 8H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₀H₁₉F₃N₄O₂: 404; Found: 405 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 194

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.30 (s, 1H), 9.74 (s, 1H), 8.64 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.41 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.15 (dd, 1H, J=2, 9), 7.44 (s, 1H, J=6), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.08 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.84 (s, 3H), 2.62 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₉H₁₄F₃N₅O₂S: 433; Found: 434 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 195

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.32 (s, 1H), 9.29 (s, 1H), 8.66 (s, 1H), 8.32 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.18 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.20 (t, 1H, J=9), 7.08 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.83 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₈H₁₁BrF₃N₅O₂S: 497; Found: 498 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 196

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.33 (s, 1H), 8.66 (s, 1H), 8.42 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.16 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.98 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.74 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.85 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄BrF₃N₄O₂: 490; Found: 491 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 197

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.66 (s, 1H), 8.63 (s, 1H), 8.40 (t, 1H, J=9), 8.19 (t, 2H, J=7), 7.76-7.92 (m, 3H), 7.45 (s, 1H), 7.26 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.11 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.85 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₁H₁₄F₃N₅O₄: 457; Found: 458 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 198

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.17 (s, 1H), 8.68 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.47 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.19 (dd, 1H, J=2, 9), 7.93 (s, 1H), 7.88 (d, 1H, J=6), 7.44-7.49 (m, 3H), 7.26 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.14 (dd, 1H, J=2, 9), 3.88 (s, 3H), 2.44 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₇F₃N₄O₂: 426; Found: 427 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 199

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.1 (s, 1H), 8.62 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.41 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.12 (dd, 1H, J=2, 8), 7.96 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.42 (d, 2H, J=7), 7.33 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.19 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.82 (s, 3H), 2.64 (t, 2H, J=8), 1.53-1.61 (m, 2H), 1.20-1.34 (m, 2H), 0.88 (t, 3H, J=8) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₅H₂₃F₃N₄O₂: 468; Found: 469 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 200

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.1 (s, 1H), 8.57 (t, 1H, J=5), 8.41 (t, 1H, J=5), 8.10 (dd, 1H, J=2, 9), 7.42 (d, 2H, J=7), 7.05-7.21 (m, 4H), 3.82 (s, 3H), 2.38 (s, 3H), 2.32 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₁₉F₃N₄O₂: 440; Found: 441 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 201

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.7 (bs, 1H), 8.75 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.58 (d, 1H, J=5), 8.39 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.18 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.73 (d, 1H, J=5), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 6H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₀H₁₃F₄N₅O₂: 431; Found: 432 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 202

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.2 (s, 1H), 8.61 (d, 1H, J=2), 8.46 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.15 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.45 (d, 1H, J=2), 7.12-7.30 (m, 5H), 3.85 (s, 3H), 2.30 (s, 6H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₁₉F₃N₄O₂: 440; Found: 441 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 203

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.71 (bs, 1H), 8.68 (d, 1H, J=8), 8.39 (s, 1H), 7.89 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.80 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.41 (s, 1H), 7.05 (s, 2H), 6.78 (d, 2H, J=9), 3.91 (s, 3H), 3.16 (s, 6H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₂₀F₃N₅O₂: 455; Found: 456 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 204

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ 8.78 (bs, 1H), 8.59 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.32 (s, 1H), 7.79 (d, 1H, J=9), 6.95-7.42 (m, 7H), 3.92 (s, 6H) ppm; ESMS C₂₂H₁₇F₃N₄O₃: 442; Found: 443 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 205

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.22 (s, 1H), 9.99 (s, 1H), 8.69 (s, 1H), 8.45 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.22 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.22 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.10 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.83 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₇H₁₁F₃N₆O₂S: 420; Found: 421 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 206

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 10.83 (s, 1H), 8.62 (s, 1H), 8.48 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.16 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.88 (d, 1H, J=8), 7.59 (t, 1H, J=7), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.08-7.27 (m, 4H), 3.99 (s, 3H), 3.88 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₇F₃N₄O₃: 442; Found: 443 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 207

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.11 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.45 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.14 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.98 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.34 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.22 (t, 1H, J=8), 7.10 (d, 1H, J=8), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.63 (t, 2H, J=7), 1.57-1.66 (m, 2H), 0.90 (t, 3H, J=7) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₄H₂₁F₃N₄O₂: 454; Found: 455 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 208

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.17 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.14 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.34 (s, 1h), 7.31 (s, 1H), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (t, 1H, J=8), 6.94 (s, 1H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.97 (s, 6H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₂₀F₃N₅O₂: 455; Found: 456 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 209

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.33 (s, 1H), 8.65 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.24 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.88 (s, 1H, J=8), 7.78 (s, 1H), 7.44-7.48 (m, 3H), 7.20 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.11 (s, 1H), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.56 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₇F₃N₄O₂S: 458; Found: 459 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 210

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.15 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.14 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.00 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.37 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.53 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₇F₃N₄O₂S: 458; Found: 459 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 211

¹H-NMR (CDCl₃) δ (ppm) 8.82 (s, 1H), 8.68 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.42 (s, 1H), 7.85-7.90 (m, 3H), 7.37 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.38 (s, 1H), 7.09 (d, 2H, J=9), 3.92 (s, 3H), 2.49 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₂H₁₇F₃N₄O₂: 426; Found: 427 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 212

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.14 (s, 1H), 8.64 (s, 1H), 8.43 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.14 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.00 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.47 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.44 (s, 1H), 7.21 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.83 (s, 3H), 3.71 (s, 3H), 2.26 (s, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₂₀F₃N₅O₂: 455; Found: 456 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 213

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 10.24 (s, 1H), 8.58 (s, 1H), 8.31 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.07 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.43 (s, 1H), 7.19 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.83 (s, 3H), 1.27 (s, 9H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₉H₁₉F₃N₄O₂: 392; Found: 393 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 214

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 10.81 (s, 1H), 8.54 (s, 1H), 8.33 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.42 (s, 1H), 7.17 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.09 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.83 (s, 3H), 2.55-2.75 (m, 1H), 1.11 (d, 6H, J=7) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₈H₁₇F₃N₄O₂: 378; Found: 379 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 215

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 11.11 (s, 1H), 8.65 (s, 1H), 8.44 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.14 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.00 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.45 (s, 1H), 7.38 (d, 2H, J=8), 7.22 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.12 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.85 (s, 3H), 2.68-2.73 (m, 2H), 1.09-1.24 (m, 3H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₂₃H₁₉F₃N₄O₂: 440; Found: 441 (M+H)⁺.

Compound 216

¹H-NMR (DMSO-d₆) δ 10.22 (s, 1H), 8.65 (s, 1H), 8.41 (d, 1H, J=9), 8.20 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.45 (s, 1H), 7.35 (s, 2H), 7.24 (d, 1H, J=9), 7.11 (d, 1H, J=9), 3.85 (s, 3H) 0.87 (bs, 1H) ppm; ESMS clcd for C₁₈H₁₃F₃N₆O₂: 402; Found: 403 (M+H)⁺.

M. Synthesis of Additional Linkers

Compounds of the invention in which L is —NHC(S)— or —C(S)NH— can be prepared by treating compounds having an amide linker with Lawesson's reagent.

Compounds of the invention having —CH₂—NH— or —NH—CH₂— linkers can be prepared by contacting compounds having —NHC(S)— or —C(S)NH— linkers with Raney Ni. Alternatively, compounds of the invention having a —CH₂—NH— or —NH—CH₂— linker can be prepared by reducing a compound having a —C(O)—NH— or —NH—C(O)— linker, respectively, with, for example, sodium borohydride (see U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/897,681, filed on Jul. 22, 2004, the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference). Compounds of the invention having —NH—CH₂— linker can also be prepared by reacting an amine derivative (Compound hh) with an aldehyde (Compound ii). Typically, this reaction is carried out under conditions where water is removed from the reaction to form the imine (Compound jj). The imine is then treated with sodium borohydride to a compound of the invention that has a —NH—CH₂— linker (see Scheme XIV).

Compounds of the invention having —C(O)— linkers (Compound rr) can be prepared by a Friedel-Craft acylation reaction by reacting an amino-pyrazine (Compound ll), in which the amine group is protected, with an acid chloride (Compound mm) in the presence of AlCl₃ to form Compound nn (see Scheme VI). The amine group of Compound nn can then be deprotected and An aromatic substitution reaction is carried out by combining an aromatic halide (compound oo, wherein X is a halo) with the deprotected amine of compound nn in a solvent in the presence of a base to form compound pp. The nitro group of compound pp is reduced to an amine group by catalytic hydrogenation using a palladium on carbon catalyst to form compound qq. The benzoimidazole ring is formed by dissolving compound qq in trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) and adding trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFAA) to form compound rr, wherein R₁₀ is CF₃. Typically, the reaction is heated to about 80° C. Alternatively, compound qq is dissolved in acetic acid and acetic anhydride is added to form compound rr, wherein R₁₀ is CH₃.

Compounds of the invention that have —C(S)— linkers can be prepared from compounds that have carbonyl linkers by treating them with Lawesson's reagent or P₂S₅ in pyridine.

Compounds of the invention that have a sulfonamide linker (Compound tt) can be prepared by reacting an amine derivative (Compound hh) with a sulfonyl chloride derivative (Compound ss) as shown in Scheme XVI. Typically, the amine derivative (Compound hh) is dissolved in a polar solvent, such as an alcohol, and the sulfonyl chloride derivative (Compound ss) is added. The reaction is typically heated to about 50° C. to about 100° C.

Compounds of the invention having a urea linker (Compound vv) can be prepared by reacting amine derivative (Compound hh) with an isocyanate (Compound uu) as shown in Scheme XVII. Typically, the amine derivative (Compound hh) is dissolved in a non-polar, aprotic solvent such as dichloromethane (DCM) to which the isocyanate (Compound uu) is added at room temperature. The reaction is typically stirred for about 5 minutes to about 1 hour to give a compound of the invention having a urea linker (Compound vv).

Compounds of the invention having a thiourea linker (—NHC(S)NH—) can be prepared by treating compounds having a urea linker with Lawesson's reagent.

Compounds of the invention having a hydrazinyl linker (—NH—N═CH—) (Compound yy) can be prepared by adding an aqueous solution of NaNO₂ (1 eq.) to a solution of amine derivative (Compound hh) (1 eq.) in concentrated HCl at about 0° C. After the solution is stirred at about 0° C. for about 15 minute to about 1 hour, 2.4 eq. of SnCl₂ in concentrated HCl is added, and the reaction is stirred at about 0° C. for about 1 hour to give a hydrazinium chloride intermediate (Compound ww). The hydrazinium chloride intermediate (Compound ww) is dissolved in acetic acid and an alcohol, such as methanol, and an aldehyde (Compound xx) is added. The reaction is stirred at room temperature for about an hour to give a compound of the invention having a hydrazinyl linker (Compound yy) (see Scheme XVIII).

Representative Analytical Data for Other Exemplary Compounds of this Invention:

-   Compound 1: Found: 465.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 2: Found: 465.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 4: Found: 447.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 5: Found: 426.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 7: Found: 498.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 10: Found: 456.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 12: Found: 433.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 13: Found: 450.2 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 14: Found: 447.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 15: Found: 433.8 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 16: Found: 450.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 17: Found: 431.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 18: Found: 498.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 19: Found: 420.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 20: Found: 442.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 23: Found: 383.8 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 25: Found: 451.8 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 26: Found: 417.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 28: Found: 428.2 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 29: Found: 403.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 30: Found: 485.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 31: Found: 532.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 32: Found: 477.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 33: Found: 475.2 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 35: Found: 473.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 36: Found: 418.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 37: Found: 442.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 38: Found: 451.8 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 39: Found: 432.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 40: Found: 411.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 41: Found: 418.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 42: Found: 445.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 43: Found: 432.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 46: Found: 417.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 48: Found: 425.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 49: Found: 391.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 50: Found: 432.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 51: Found: 416.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 52: Found: 453.4 (M+H)³⁰. -   Compound 53: Found: 474.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 54: Found: 349.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 55: Found: 431.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 56: Found: 418.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 57: Found: 562.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 58: Found: 357.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 59: Found: 363.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 60: Found: 449.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 61: Found: 418.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 62: Found: 404.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 63: Found: 514.7 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 64: Found: 485.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 65: Found: 495.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 66: Found: 467.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 67: Found: 540.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 68: Found: 540.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 71: Found: 483.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 72: Found: 487.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 73: Found: 537.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 76: Found: 425.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 78: Found: 456.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 80: Found: 479.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 84: Found: 389.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 85: Found: 453.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 86: Found: 417.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 87: Found: 433.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 88: Found: 419.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 89: Found: 441.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 90: Found: 451.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 92: Found: 455.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 93: Found: 474.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 94: Found: 431.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 95: Found: 425.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 97: Found: 501.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 98: Found: 447.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 100: Found: 447.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 102: Found: 480.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 103: Found: 447.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 104: Found: 490.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 107: Found: 456.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 108: Found: 445.8 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 109: Found: 445.8 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 110: Found: 447.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 113: Found: 460.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 115: Found: 537.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 117: Found: 480.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 118: Found: 490.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 119: Found: 490.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 120: Found: 401.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 121: Found: 500.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 122: Found: 361.3 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 123: Found: 455.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 124: Found: 457.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 125: Found: 435.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 126: Found: 445.8 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 127: Found: 547.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 128: Found: 441.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 129: Found: 547.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 130: Found: 485.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 131: Found: 485.5 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 132: Found: 475.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 133: Found: 459.4 (M+H)⁺. -   Compound 135: Found: 469.8 (M+H)⁺.

Example 2 Inhibition of IL-2 Production

Jurkat cells were placed in a 96 well plate (0.5 million cells per well in 1% FBS medium) then test compounds of this invention were added at different concentrations. After 10 minutes, the cells were activated with PHA (final concentration 2.5 μg/mL) and incubated for 20 hours at 37° C. under CO₂. The final volume was 200 μL. Following incubation, the cells were centrifuged and the supernatants collected and stored at −70° C. prior to assaying for IL-2 production. A commercial ELISA kit (IL-2 Eli-pair, Diaclone Research, Besancon, France) was used to detect production of IL-2, from which dose response curves were obtained. The IC₅₀ value was calculated as the concentration at which 50% of maximum IL-2 production after stimulation was inhibited versus a non-stimulation control.

IC₅₀ Compounds <100 nM 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 71, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 132, 135, 163, 173, 174, 175, 176, 178, 180, 185, 187, 189, 193, 197, 202 100-500 nM 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 63, 64, 65, 66, 69, 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 133, 134, 136, 165, 166, 167, 168, 170, 177, 179, 183, 184, 188, 190, 191, 192, 195, 196, 201 500 nM-1 μM 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 56, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 169, 171, 182, 186, 194, 198, 200 >1 μM 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 67, 68, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, 128, 129, 130, 131, 162, 164, 172, 181, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216

Example 3 Patch Clamp Studies of Inhibition of I_(CRAC) Current in RBL Cells, Jurkat Cells, and Primary T Cells

In general, a whole cell patch clamp method is used to examine the effects of a compound of the invention on a channel that mediates I_(crac). In such experiments, a baseline measurement is established for a patched cell. Then a compound to be tested is perfused (or puffed) to cells in the external solution and the effect of the compound on I_(crac) is measured. A compound that modulates I_(crac) (e.g., inhibits) is a compound that is useful in the invention for modulating CRAC ion channel activity.

1) RBL Cells

Cells

Rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) are grown in DMEM media supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum in an atmosphere of 95% air/5% CO₂. Cells are seeded on glass coverslips 1-3 days before use.

Recording Conditions

Membrane currents of individual cells are recorded using the whole-cell configuration of the patch clamp technique with an EPC10 (HEKA Electronik, Lambrecht, Germany). Electrodes (2-5 MΩ in resistance) are fashioned from borosilicate glass capillary tubes (Sutter Instruments, Novato, Ca). The recordings are done at room temperature.

Intracellular Pipette Solution

Cs-Glutamate 120 mM; CsCl 20 mM; CsBAPTA 10 mM; CsHEPES 10 mM; NaCl 8 mM; MgCl₂ 1 mM; IP3 0.02 mM; pH=7.4 adjusted with CsOH. (Shielded from light and kept on ice before experiment)

Extracellular Solution

NaCl 138 mM; NaHEPES, 10 mM; CsCl 10 mM; CaCl₂ 10 mM; Glucose 5.5 mM; KCl 5.4 mM; KH₂PO₄ 0.4 mM; Na₂HPO₄.H₂ 0.3 mM at pH=7.4 adjusted with NaOH.

Compound Treatment

Each compound is diluted from a 10 mM stock in series using DMSO (10 μM, 3.2 μM, 1 μM, 316 nM, 100 nM 32 nM). The final DMSO concentration is always kept at 0.1%.

Experimental Procedure

I_(CRAC) currents are monitored every 2 seconds using a 50 msec protocol, where the voltage is ramped from −100 mV to +100 mV. The membrane potential is held at 0 mV between the test ramps. In a typical experiment the peak inward currents would develop within 50-100 seconds. Once the I_(CRAC) currents are stabilized, the cells are perfused with compounds in the extracellular solution. At the end of an experiment the remaining I_(CRAC) currents are then challenged with a control compound (SKF96365, 10 μM) to ensure that the current could still be inhibited.

Data Analysis

The I_(CRAC) current level is determined by measuring the inward current amplitude at −80 mV of the voltage ramp in an off-line analysis using MATLAB. The I_(CRAC) current inhibition for each concentration is calculated using peak amplitude in the beginning of the experiment from the same cell. The IC₅₀ value and Hill coefficient for each compound is estimated by fitting all the individual data points to a single Hill equation.

2) Jurkat Cells

Cells

Jurkat T cells are grown on glass coverslips, transferred to the recording chamber and kept in a standard modified Ringer's solution of the following composition: NaCl 145 mM, KCl 2.8 mM, CsCl 10 mM, CaCl₂ 10 mM, MgCl₂ 2 mM, glucose 10 mM, HEPES.NaOH 10 mM, pH 7.2.

Extracellular Solution

The external solution contained 10 mM CaNaR, 11.5 mM glucose and the test compound at the concentrations described below.

Intracellular Pipette Solution

The standard intracellular pipette solution contained: Cs-glutamate 145 mM, NaCl 8 mM, MgCl₂ 1 mM, ATP 0.5 mM, GTP 0.3 mM, pH 7.2 adjusted with CsOH. The solution was supplemented with a mixture of 10 mM Cs-BAPTA and 4.3-5.3 mM CaCl₂ to buffer [Ca²⁺]i to resting levels of 100-150 nM.

Patch-Clamp Recordings

Patch-clamp experiments are performed in the tight-seal whole-cell configuration at 21-25° C. High-resolution current recordings are acquired by a computer-based patch-clamp amplifier system (EPC-9, HEKA, Lambrecht, Germany). Sylgard®-coated patch pipettes had resistances between 2-4 MΩ after filling with the standard intracellular solution. Immediately following establishment of the whole-cell configuration, voltage ramps of 50 ms duration spanning the voltage range of −100 to +100 mV are delivered from a holding potential of 0 mV at a rate of 0.5 Hz over a period of 300 to 400 seconds. All voltages are corrected for a liquid junction potential of 10 mV between external and internal solutions. Currents are filtered at 2.3 kHz and digitized at 100 μs intervals. Capacitive currents and series resistance were determined and corrected before each voltage ramp using the automatic capacitance compensation of the EPC-9.

Data Analysis

The very first ramps before activation of I_(CRAC) (usually 1 to 3) are digitally filtered at 2 kHz, pooled and used for leak-subtraction of all subsequent current records. The low-resolution temporal development of inward currents is extracted from the leak-corrected individual ramp current records by measuring the current amplitude at −80 mV or a voltage of choice.

3) Primary T Cells

Preparation of Primary T Cells

Primary T cells are obtained from human whole blood samples by adding 100 μL of RosetteSep® human T cell enrichment cocktail to 2 mL of whole blood. The mixture is incubated for 20 minutes at room temperature, then diluted with an equal volume of PBS containing 2% FBS. The mixture is layered on top of RosetteSep® DM-L density medium and then centrifuged for 20 minutes at 1200 g at room temperature. The enriched T cells are recovered from the plasma/density medium interface, then washed with PBS containing 2% FBS twice, and used in patch clamp experiments following the procedure described for RBL cells.

Results:

Compounds of the invention are expected to decrease I_(CRAC) current.

Example 4 Inhibition of Multiple Cytokines in Primary Human PBMCs

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA) in the presence of varying concentrations of compounds of the invention or cyclosporine A (CsA), a known inhibitor of cytokine production. Cytokine production was measured using commercially available human ELISA assay kits (from Cell Science, Inc.) following the manufacturers instructions.

Table 2 shows the concentration of CsA and compounds 1 and 135 which inhibit 50% of a cytokine production. As can be seen from the data, compounds 31, 66, and 75 are potent inhibitors of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, GM-CSF, INF-γ and TNF-α. In addition, compounds of the invention do not inhibit the anti-inflammatory cytokine, IL-10.

TABLE 2 IC₅₀ values for cytokine inhibition. GM- Cpd # IL-2 IL-4 IL-5 IL-10 IL-13 CSF INF-γ TNF-α CsA 3 25 7 948 67 109 18 26  1 29 651 26 >1000 73 788 95 424 135 3 101 13 439 25 99 29 47

All publications, patent applications, patents, and other documents cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting in any way.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that variations and modifications may be made to the invention described herein. Such embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims. 

1. A compound represented by structural formula (XVI):

or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein: Y₂ is alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, or aralkyl, any of which is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, OR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₂, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)OR₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —OC(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₂, —OC(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)OR₁₂, —NR₁₃C(NR₁₀)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₃C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —S(O)_(p)R₁₁, —S(O)_(h)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁S(O)_(h)R₁₂, or —OP(O)(OR₁₁)₂, wherein R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each, independently, H or a lower alkyl; Z, for each occurrence, is independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, a haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)R₅, halo, —OR₄, cyano, nitro, haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₄, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)OR₄, —OC(O)R₄, —NR₄C(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₄C(O)OR₅, —S(O)_(p)R₄, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂; L₁ is a linker selected from the group consisting of NR₃—C(O)—; R₁₆, for each occurrence is, independently, —H, a halo, an alkyl, —CN, —NO₂, —OR₅, —NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₅, —C(O)OR₅, or —C(O)NR₁R₂; R₁ and R₂, for each occurrence are, independently, H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, or aralkyl; R₃, R₄ and R₅ for each occurrence are, independently, H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, or R₉, for each occurrence, is independently, selected from the group consisting of a halo, nitro, cyano, a haloalkyl, —OR₃, —SR₃, —NR₁R₂, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₃, —C(O)OR₃, —C(O)SR₃, —C(S)NR₁R₂, —C(S)R₃, —C(S)OR₃, —C(S)SR₃, —C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —C(NR₁₆)R₃, —C(NR₁₆)OR₃, —C(NR₁₆)SR₃, —S(O)_(h)R₃, —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂, —P(O)(OR₃)₂, —P(S)(OR₃)₂, —P(O)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(S)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(O)(SR₃)₂, —P(S)(SR₃)₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)R₃, —OC(O)OR₃, —OC(O)SR₃, —NR₃C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(O)R₄, —NR₃C(O)OR₄, —NR₃C(O)SR₄, —SC(O)NR₁R₂, —SC(O)R₃, —SC(O)OR₃, —SC(O)SR₃, —OC(S)NR₁R₂, —OC(S)R₃, —OC(S)OR₃, —OC(S)SR₃, —NR₃C(S)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(S)R₄, —NR₃C(S)OR₄, —NR₃C(S)SR₄, —SC(S)NR₁R₂, —SC(S)R₃, —SC(S)OR₃, —SC(S)SR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —OC(NR₁₆)R₃, —OC(NR₁₆)OR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)SR₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)R₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)OR₄, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)SR₄, —OS(O)_(h)R₃, —NR₃S(O)_(h)R₄, —OP(O)(OR₃)₂, and —OP(S)(OR₃)₂; R₁₀ is selected from the group consisting of H, a halo, nitro, cyano, a haloalkyl, —OR₃, —SR₃, —NR₁R₂, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, aralkyl, —C(O)NR₁R₂, —C(O)R₃, —C(O)OR₃, —C(O)SR₃, —C(S)NR₁R₂, —C(S)R₃, —C(S)OR₃, —C(S)SR₃, —C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —C(NR₁₆)R₃, —C(NR₁₆)OR₃, —C(NR₁₆)SR₃, —S(O)_(h)R₃, —S(O)_(h)NR₁R₂, —P(O)(OR₃)₂, —P(S)(OR₃)₂, —P(O)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(S)(OR₃)(SR₄), —P(O)(SR₃)₂, —P(S)(SR₃)₂, —OC(O)NR₁R₂, —OC(O)R₃, —OC(O)OR₃, —OC(O)SR₃, —NR₃C(O)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(O)R₄, —NR₃C(O)OR₄, —NR₃C(O)SR₄, —SC(O)NR₁R₂, —SC(O)R₃, —SC(O)OR₃, —SC(O)SR₃, —OC(S)NR₁R₂, —OC(S)R₃, —OC(S)OR₃, —OC(S)SR₃, —NR₃C(S)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(S)R₄, —NR₃C(S)OR₄, —NR₃C(S)SR₄, —SC(S)NR₁R₂, —SC(S)R₃, —SC(S)OR₃, —SC(S)SR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —OC(NR₁₆)R₃, —OC(NR₁₆)OR₃, —OC(NR₁₆)SR₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)NR₁R₂, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)R₃, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)OR₄, —NR₃C(NR₁₆)SR₄, —OS(O)_(h)R₃, —NR₃S(O)_(h)R₄, —OP(O)(OR₃)₂, and —OP(S)(OR₃)₂; h, for each occurrence is, independently, 1 or 2; m is 0 or and integer form 1 to 4; u is 0 or an integer from 1 to 3; and p, for each occurrence, is, independently, 0, 1, or
 2. 2. The compound of claim 1, wherein R₃, R₄ and R₅ are each, independently, H or a lower alkyl.
 3. The compound of claim 1, wherein u is
 0. 4. The compound of claim 1, wherein u is
 1. 5. The compound of claim 4, wherein: Z is selected from the group consisting of a lower alkyl, a lower haloalkyl, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₂, halo, —OR₁₁, cyano, nitro, a lower haloalkoxy, —C(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₂, —C(O)OR₁₁, —OC(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₃C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —OC(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)OR₁₂, —S(O)_(p)R₁₁, or —S(O)_(h)NR₁₁R₁₂; and R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each, independently, H or a lower alkyl.
 6. The compound of claim 1, wherein Y₂ is an optionally substituted aryl.
 7. The compound of claim 6, wherein Y₂ is selected from the group consisting of an optionally substituted phenyl and an optionally substituted naphthyl.
 8. The compound of claim 7, wherein Y₂ is an optionally substituted phenyl.
 9. The compound of claim 8, wherein Y₂ is optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, —OR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₂, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)OR₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —OC(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₂, —OC(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)OR₁₂, —NR₁₃C(NR₁₀)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₃C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —S(O)_(p)R₁₁, —S(O)_(h)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁S(O)_(h)R₁₂, or —OP(O)(OR₁₁)₂; wherein R₁₁, R₁₂ and R₁₃ are each, independently, H or a lower alkyl.
 10. The compound of claim 9, wherein Y₂ is selected from the group consisting of:

wherein: X₆ is CH; R₁₄ is H, a halo, a lower alkyl, a lower haloalkyl, or a lower alkoxy; and R₁₅ is a halo, a lower alkyl, a lower haloalkyl, or a lower alkoxy.
 11. The compound of claim 1, wherein Y₂ is an optionally substituted alkyl or an optionally substituted cycloalkyl.
 12. The compound of claim 11, wherein Y₂ is selected from the group consisting of methyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, 2-methyl-butyl, n-hexyl, 2-methyl-pentyl, 3-methyl-pentyl, 4-methyl-pentyl, 2-ethyl-butyl, 3-ethyl-butyl, cyclooctyl, cycloheptyl, cycolhexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopropyl, each of which can be optionally substituted with one or more substituent selected from the group consisting of a halo, lower alkyl, lower haloalkyl, nitro, cyano, —OR₁₁, —NR₁₁R₁₂, —C(O)R₁₁, —C(O)OR₁₁, —C(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —OC(O)R₁₁, —NR₁₁C(O)R₁₂, —OC(O)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁C(O)OR₁₂, —OC(O)OR₁₁, —NR₁₁C(NR₁₆)NR₁₂R₁₃, —NR₁₁C(O)NR₁₂R₁₃, —S(O)_(p)R₁₁, —S(O)_(h)NR₁₁R₁₂, —NR₁₁S(O)_(h)R₁₂, and —OP(O)(OR₁₁)₂.
 13. The compound of claim 12, wherein Y₂ is an unsubstituted lower alkyl or a 3- to 6-membered, unsubstituted cycloalkyl.
 14. A compound of claim 1 selected from the group consisting of: 2,6-Difluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-acetamide; Ethyl-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amine; Butyl-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amine; 4-Cyano-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-butyramide; N-[5-(5-Methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-2-methyl-butyramide Cyclobutanecarboxylic acid [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide; 4-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 4-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; Cyclopropanecarboxylic acid [5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-amide; 2-Chloro-6-fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 2,3-Dichloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 2,4-Dichloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 4-Chloro-2-fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 2-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 3-Chloro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 2-Bromo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 3-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 4-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 3-Cyano-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3-nitro-benzamide; 2-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 3-Fluoro-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; 2-Iodo-N-[5-(5-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-benzoimidazol-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-benzamide; and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition, comprising a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound of any one of claims 1, 2, 3-10, and 11-14. 